Llandudno – Gateway to the Best of North Wales

Llandudno from the Great Orme

Llandudno is not only a great classic seaside resort set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it’s also the ideal gateway to the very best that North Wales has to offer.

The Great Orme

A walk along the promenade is a must, as is a visit to the Great Orme for breathtaking views stretching all the way to the Isle of Man and the Lake District. Reaching the summit as also fun as you can either take the longest cable car lift in the country (rising to a height of 651ft above sea level) or on the Great Orme Tramway, the only cable-hauled Great Orme Tramway tramway still operating on British public roads. While at the top, visit the Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines which will give you a fascinating insight into the lives of these prehistoric people by allowing you to go on an underground visit, watch an audio-visual display and observe archaeologists at work.

Nearby Conwy Castle & Town Walls Gritty is one of the best spots in the country to soak up an authentic medieval atmosphere. Constructed by Edward I between 1283 and 1289 as one of his key North Wales fortresses, the soaring curtain walls and eight huge round towers give the castle – a World Heritage Site – an intimidating presence undimmed by the passage of time. The views from the battlements are breathtaking, looking out across mountains and sea and down to the roofless shell of the castle’s 125ft Great Hall. Conwy’s other great medieval glory is its ring of town walls. Its circuit of walls, over three-quarters of a mile long and guarded by no less than 22 towers, is one of the finest in the world.

Bodnant Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK. An endeavour has been made at Bodnant Garden to grow a wide range of interesting and beautiful plants from all over the world, particularly China, North America, Europe and Japan that are suited to the Welsh climate and soil. As well as this, care has been taken to place the plants in such a way that they enhance each other and contribute to the general beauty of the garden throughout the seasons.

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are two unique narrow gauge railways with a fascinating past. The Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway takes you on a 13½ mile journey from the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour in Porthmadog, while the Rheilffordd Eryri/Welsh Highland Railway, a spectacular 25 mile scenic journey takes you from Porthmadog to Caernarfon.

At 3,560ft Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales so a visit to North Wales should definitely include a trip. The drive alone to Snowdonia is worth it through the winding roads stopping at the viewing points to enjoy the breathtaking vistas of the beautiful mountainous terrain and unbelievable scenery, and then you can scale the mountain by foot or train on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

While staying in Llandudno, we highly recommend The Imperial Hotel. Located right on the beautiful promenade, you enjoy spectacular and panoramic views across Llandudno Bay as well as The Imperial’s trademark traditional hospitality, Victorian charm and first class service. For more information, including special offers, visit The Imperial Hotel Llandudno’s Best Loved page.