'''Llandudno''' [http://www.llandudno.gov.uk/] is a Victorian seaside resort and town in North Wales. It lies on the coast between Bangor and Colwyn Bay, and has a population of about 20,000. Llandudno is just off the main rail line between Chester and Holyhead, the latter being the main ferry port for travel to Ireland. Llandudno is served by a branch line from Llandudno Junction [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno_Junction].

Understand

Llandudno has the distinction of being the largest seaside resort in North Wales. It lies between two notable carboniferous headlands, the Great Orme [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Orme] and the Little Orme [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Orme] with the Irish Sea [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Sea] on one side and the estuary of the River Conwy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Conwy] on the other. It is these headlands and the two waterfronts, the North Shore and the West Shore, that give Llandudno its special appeal.

Although settlements have existed on the Great Orme since the Stone Age and an Iron Age hill fort survives at Pen-y-Dinas, Llandudno was developed as a seaside resort in the Victorian era. As such, it has Victorian charm - large Victorian houses, fine hotels lining the bay, a pier, boat trips round the headland, Punch and Judy on the wide promenade, an excellent lifeboat service, and a fine theatre with ballet, opera, orchestral concerts, ice shows and pantomime in season.

Llandudno has a prominent Welsh speaking community, greatly increased by the frequent visitors from rural communities further inland whose primary day-to-day language is Welsh.

Get in

By train

  • Through train from London Euston, Mondays to Fridays 11am (3? hours).
  • Through trains from Manchester, every hour on weekdays (2? hours).
  • Through trains from Liverpool (approx. 2-2? hours), change at Chester or change at Chester ''and'' Llandudno Junction (it depends on the timetable how many changes there'll be).
  • Trains from Crewe, every hour on weekdays, change at Chester and/or Llandudno Junction.
  • Trains from Cardiff, every two hours on weekdays, change at Llandudno Junction.
  • Trains from Holyhead, every hour on weekdays, change at Llandudno Junction.
  • By car

    From '''England''': From the M6, take the M56 in the direction of Chester, North Wales. Take the M53 in the direction of A55, North Wales at the end of the M56. This becomes the A55, stay on this for 30 miles or so until you see signs for the A470 turn off. From here follow signs for Llandudno.

    By plane

    Nearest airports are Liverpool [http://www.liverpoolairport.com/] and Manchester [http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf] but only Manchester is directly linked by train (from airport by train to Manchester Piccadily, then change train). From Liverpool airport: take a bus to Liverpool Lime Street station [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/891.aspx], then take a train.

    By bus

    Local buses operate from Rhyl (every ten minutes), Bangor (six per hour), Caernarfon, Llanberis and Llangollen but there are no daily long distance coach services to Llandudno. National Express [http://www.nationalexpress.com/] have a daily service from London calling at Llandudno Junction (three miles away). There is a weekly National Express service to Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Sundays.

    Get around

  • Take the scenic Conwy Valley Train from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
  • Gwynedd Red Rover Tickets [http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=2772&doc=7850&Language=1] cost __5.50 for unlimited day travel on the Conwy Valley train, on all buses in Snowdonia and on all buses in the Conwy Valley and throughout western Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey.
  • See

  • '''Bronze Age Copper Mines''', ph: ''(0)''1492 870 447 [http://www.greatormemines.info/index.htm] - Recently discovered bronze age mines on the upper slopes of the Great Orme. Tours start off with a brief talk on the mine and seeing tools found in excavations, before heading down into the mines! Great fun and well worth a visit, although the tours aren't very long.
  • Fossils in the exposed limestone faces of Bishop's Quarry near the summit.
  • The '''Victorian Pier''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandudno_Pier] the finest in Wales, second longest in Britain and one of a dwindling number of recreational piers in the country.
  • Do

  • Ride the '''traditional tram''' [http://www.greatormetramway.com/] (built in 1902) to the summit of the Great Orme, enjoy the visitor centre and visit Randolf Turpin's Bar in the Summit Complex [http://www.thesummitcomplex.co.uk/index2.html].
  • Go for '''walks''' over the Great Orme, perhaps visiting Saint Tudno's church [http://www.llandudno-parish.org.uk/sttudno.html].
  • Walk, cycle, drive or ride a coach around the '''Marine Drive''' [http://www.greatorme.org.uk/marinedrive.html]. There is a toll of __2.50 for cars but that includes free parking at the summit car park, which is reached by a side road via Saint Tudno's Church. The toll is generally not in place after 7PM.
  • Take the '''cable car''' [http://www.attractionsnorthwales.co.uk/attractions/llandudno-cable-car] from the Happy Valley to the summit of the Great Orme.
  • Walk in the '''Happy Valley''' [http://www.greatorme.org.uk/Trail9.html] and the '''Haulfre Gardens''' [http://www.greatorme.org.uk/Trail12.html] and enjoy the magnificent views.
  • Visit the Happy Valley '''artificial ski slope''' [http://www.llandudnoskislope.co.uk/] or take the '''toboggan run''' from the top...
  • Ride a donkey or just enjoy the sun on either of Llandudno's two beaches, North Beach and West Shore
  • Visit '''Bodafon Farm Park''', [http://www.bodafon.co.uk/] a working farm that includes a bird of prey sanctuary (lots of owls included).
  • Take a dip in the lovely, large paddling pool, on the east end of the promenade.
  • Take the stairs on the west side of the pier to some rock pools (at low tide only!).
  • Buy

  • Portfolio Local Photography. landudno Pier. ww.portfoliolocalphotography.co.uk. Visit this lovely little gallery at the end of Llandudno Pier. It sells prints of North Wales by local photographer Geoff Steen.

    Eat

    Llandudno is home to many food venues catering for all tastes and budgets.

    For a traditional ice cream, visit Llandudno's famous '''Fortes''' which has been serving freshly made ice cream for the past century.

    Budget

    Cheaper venues include:
  • '''The Palladium''' (Pub/Bistro of the J. D. Wetherspoon chain. Be aware that there is often a very long wait for food here at peak times, owing to the popularity and sheer size of the venue)
  • '''The Albert''' (Pub) [http://www.albertllandudno.co.uk]
  • '''Fortes''' (Italian & Bistro)
  • '''Fountains''' (Trendy bar/bistro with decent selection of good quality sandwiches, pizzas and wraps)
  • Medium Range

    For those seeking a medium priced meal, there are several Italian and other ethnic cuisine restaurants in the town:

  • '''Mamma Rosa''' (Italian) located in Craig-y-don but walking distance from the town along the promenade. Close to Venue Cymru and Boulevards. Recommended. [http://www.italian-restaurant-llandudno.co.uk/]
  • '''Romeos''' (Italian) Lloyd Street [http://www.ristoranteromeo.com/]
  • '''Candles''' (Varied) On the corner of Lloyd Street and Madoc Street
  • '''The Bengal Dynasty''' (Bangladeshi) On the corner of Upper Mostyn Street and Prince Edward Square
  • '''Taste of India''' (Indian)
  • '''Home Cookin'''' (Bistro) Frankly the best of its kind for miles around! Hence the queues to be served most nights.Good food and friendly service.
  • '''The Fat Cat''' (Chain bar/bistro that offers more substantial medium-priced meals as part of its offering, alongside slightly cheaper range of sandwiches and lunches.
  • '''Jasmine House''' (Chinese) Opposite Trinity Church (above KFC) [http://www.jasminehousellandudno.co.uk/]
  • '''East''' (Chinese with a hint of Japanese) Opposite the Train Station. [http://www.eastllandudno.co.uk/]
  • Splurge

    More up-market venues in the town include:
  • '''The Empire Hotel'''
  • '''The Seahorse'''
  • '''No.1s Bistro'''
  • Drink

    Llandudno has experience an advent of European style cafe culture in recent years. Coffee houses have sprung up all over town. These include:

  • '''Cafe Culture'''
  • '''Waterstone's Cafe'''
  • '''Upstairs At Clair's'''
  • '''Fortes'''
  • '''Badgers''' (which specialises in traditional-British lunches and pastries).
  • Visit one of the bars in the "top of town" (Upper Mostyn Street). These are

  • '''Fountains'''
  • '''The Lounge'''
  • '''The Fat Cat'''
  • '''Club 147'''
  • '''The Palladium''' (the flagship Welsh pub of the J.D. Wetherspoon chain set in a former cinema. A very impressive sight.)
  • Then take a taxi (but be warned, competition is fierce!) to '''Broadway Boulevard''' or '''The Washington''' (these are locally termed ''Broadway'' and ''the Wash'' respectively). The '''Broadway Boulevard''' is a large nightclub set in an old theatre building and regularly plays host to big-name DJs. The '''Washington''' is named as such because it vaguely resembles the White House - this is a venue more frequented by slightly more mature party-goers (as opposed to Broadway which is more popular with the under-25s).

    Gay Scene

    Though Llandudno is traditionally more popular with older travellers, it has developed a younger atmosphere in recent years. A product of this is the advent of Llandudno's small but very active Gay scene. Llandudno is home to one specific 'gay bar' - '''The Lounge''' in Upper Mostyn Street. Other gay venues include '''The Washington''' on the North Shore Parade which hosts frequent gay-specific nights under the ''Hellbent'' title. Bars aimed at a younger market like '''Club 147''', '''Fountains''' and '''The Palladium''' are all popular with the gay community. The venues most frequented by the gay community in Llandudno are situated on Upper Mostyn Street and the immediate area.

    Sleep

    There are a wide array of Victorian bed & breakfasts in Llandudno. There are also some more upmarket hotels.

    Budget

  • '''Llandudno Hostel (4 Star)''' [http://www.llandudnohostel.co.uk/]
  • Medium Range

  • '''The Royal Hotel''' [http://royalllandudno.com/]***Free resident on-site parking (essential),free WiFi, 40 Channel TV's***. Victorian elegance and style combined with modern facilities for guests comfort tel: 0800 069 9039.
  • '''The Broadway Hotel''' [http://www.thebroadwayhotel.com/]. Built in 1865 this Victorian Hotel sits proudly on the edge of the Town Centre and 200 yards from the seafront.
  • '''Kensington Hotel Llandudno''' [http://www.kensingtonhotel-llandudno.co.uk/]
  • '''Bella Vista Hotel''' [http://www.bellavistallandudno.co.uk/]
  • '''Elsinore Hotel''' [http://www.elsinorehotel.co.uk/]
  • Splurge

  • '''The Empire''' [http://www.empirehotel.co.uk/xhtml/default.asp?PageName=1]
  • '''St. Georges Hotel''' [http://www.stgeorgeswales.co.uk/home.php?/Home]
  • '''Cae Mor Hotel Llandudno''' [http://www.caemorhotel.co.uk/]
  • Stay Safe

    Llandudno is considered safe by any standards, though as with any tourist destination, it is easy to fall into a false sense of security about your own safety. Though Llandudno is a tourist center, it is also a fully functioning medium sized town and is therefore subject to the same difficulties as any other town.

    There are areas in Llandudno which tourists should avoid, though these areas are not areas where tourists would normally travel to. Most of these areas are safe in the day, but crime is not uncommon at night. These areas include:

  • The area behind and around the ASDA supermarket, opposite ''Parc Llandudno''
  • The council estate behind the ''Llandudno Rugby Club''
  • Parts of West Shore, particularly the council estate and ''King's Road''
  • The area around Llandudno Hospital
  • Much of Llandudno Junction (particularly at night)
  • Get out

  • Conwy - fantastic castle and walled town, just 5 miles away from Llandudno. Walk the town walls for free, many stairs leading up to them are throughout the town.
  • A cycle path now exists between West Shore Llandudno and Conwy, very flat and car free. Also suitable for pedestrians. [http://www.cyclingnorthwales.co.uk/pages/nwles_co_cyw.htm#West%20Shore,%20Llandudno,%20to%20Conwy%20&%20Penmaenmawr]
  • A 'working' riverfront where you can find a riverfront pub for a drink and an ice cream stand that also sells hot drinks along with 'The smallest house in the UK'.
  • There's the Conwy Butterfly Jungle just outside the town walls.
  • A sightseeing boat that takes a 30 minute ride up and down the Conwy River (runs mainly on school holidays).
  • Various independant shops in the town and various independant cafes (including the Tower Coffee House, built into one of the wall turrets, right across from the castle and giving great views of the river).
  • If you'd like a free place to relax and maybe a read, Conwy Library also has great views of the river from it's upper lounge.
  • You can also take a walk from the river front, through the gate and find your way along a riverfront walk, at the bottom of Bodlondeb. The walk takes you around Bodlondeb, where you can make your way to Conwy Marina, where there is an upmarket pub with a large outside dining area overlooking the marina.
  • There are many hill walks around Conwy as well (National Trust gift shop under Aberconwy House sells some maps, there's also an independant bookshop in the town).
  • Aberconwy House, 14th-century merchant's house run by the National Trust.
  • Plas Mawr (The Great Hall), one of the finest surviving town house of the Elizabethan era to be found in Britain, run by Cadw (who also run Conwy Castle, see about a joint ticket for both!).
  • Chester - Roman walled city, 30 miles away.