The Queen of Resorts Llandudno

Known as “the Queen of the Welsh Resorts” since the middle of the 19th century, Llandudno is the largest seaside resort town in Wales. Characterised by the long promenade overlooked by the rows of Victorian buildings which make up the South Parade the architecture certainly lives up to this title. The town has 2 popular beaches, North Shore and West Shore.

Llandudno – Welsh for “the church of Tudno”, the patron saint of the town who founded the parish church – is a beautiful and quaint seaside resort town on the northern coast of Wales on the shores of the Irish Sea.
With a population of just 20,000 (including the surrounding community), Llandudno boasts the best variety and number of shops, restaurants and entertainment in the area whilst retaining the quality of a tranquil place by the sea.

The larger North Shore beach looks out onto Llandudno Bay in a beautiful setting between the large limestone headlands of the Great Orme and the Little Orme, It offers a beach stretching for two miles in length – plenty of sand in which to build a castle or two! It has been given the Seaside Award, which means you know it’s a beach that is both well-managed and exceptionally clean, in terms of both sand and water. The West Shore looks out towards Anglesey and Conwy and has a large sandy beach ideal for football, cricket or flying kites.

The Llandudno Pier is also an award winner, having won the National Piers Society’s coveted Pier of the Year award in 2005. It’s not difficult to see why: the Grade II listed building is the fifth longest in Britain (and the longest in Wales), and its Indian Gothic style lends it a unique beauty. There are plenty of classic attractions on the pier, including fairground rides, amusement arcades, a café and a bar. In the summer, you can watch that beloved-by-Victorians puppet show, Punch and Judy. This particular show has been running since 1860!

Happy Valley is also worth mentioning. This was once a quarry, but was developed into beautiful gardens to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Nowadays, it is home to a putting green, lush lawns, some lovely walks and even an artificial ski slope. If that’s not enough for you, why not have a go on the toboggan run? Happy Valley is also where you can get on a cable car ride to the Top of the Great Orme.

Jutting out into the Irish Sea, The Great Orme rises to a height of 679 feet and covers an area of around 2 square miles. As a managed nature reserve it plays host to a number of different endangered species of both plant and animal life. It’s the only place on the entire planet, for example, where you may see the Wild Cotoneaster flower – there are only six known specimens, all of which are found right here. A familiar sight to locals are the goats which have been resident there for over 100 years. Often seen grazing small ledges on the steep cliffs they are said to have been introduced from the herd at Windsor Great Park.

The views from the top are incredible. Looking out over Llandudno Bay is always a treat, but it’s even more spectacular on a really clear day, when you are able to see all the way to the Isle of Man. And if you don’t fancy a cable car trip to the summit you don’t have to make the climb, either – the famous Great Orme Tramway (the only such type of street tram left in the UK) will take you all the way there in comfort. Disembark at the Halfway Station and learn a little bit about the tramway’s fascinating history before making your way to the top.

Learn about our self-catered holiday cottages in Llandudno and you can discover the delights of St Tudno’s town for yourself.