The Victorian resort of Llandudno, located in the county of Conwy in North Wales has lots to offer locals and visitors alike. As one of the most popular destinations in North Wales, the thriving tourism industry has been bringing visitors since the early 1900s, and this trend continues to this day. Catered for the booming tourism industry, the Llandudno promenade is lined with simply beautiful hotels, which are all well-maintained and well-cared for. Staying in a Llandudno hotel often means staying along the promenade, sometimes with panoramic sea views.
Just a quick car journey from Llandudno there are a plethora of different tourist activities; within a couple of hours driving distance there is something for everyone. Here are a few examples of what you could do on your next Llandudno based holiday.
Snowdonia National Park
This stunning National Park covers the majority of North Wales; and access to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales (Snowdon) is made a lot easier due to the Snowdon Mountain Railway which starts in Llanberis. This park is one of the best places for hiking and climbing in the whole of the UK, and offers not only extremely rugged mountain scenery, but also sandy beaches and dunes, picturesque Welsh valleys as well as over 50 lakes! The park also boasts a rich cultural heritage that includes Roman ruins, prehistoric circles, and traditional Welsh farms.
Portmeirion
Tucked away in Tremadog Bay on a wooded peninsula between the towns of Porthmadog and Harlech, Portmeirion is world famous for being a replica in miniature of a picturesque Italian village. This unique property is best experienced as part of an overnight stay; as when the gates close to visitors for the evening, guests are free to roam and explore the place, including; the beautiful gardens, fountains, the church to the wonderful coastal paths of the lower village.
This amazing location has been used in numerous films and TV programs, including the cult The Prisoner.
Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is a true masterpiece of medieval architecture; considered to be one of Wales’ most beautiful fortresses and one of the best preserved 13th-century fortresses in Europe. Conwy Castle also features an excellent exhibition on the history of Edward I and his numerous Welsh castles.
Afterwards, don’t neglect the town of Conwy; with well-preserved 13th-century town walls with superb views of the surrounding area. There are also more historical sites to visit, including; Aberconwy House, the Elizabethan home Plas Mawr and what is reportedly the smallest house in Great Britain.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
One of the most recognisable landmarks of the industrialisation of Great Britain in the early 19th century; the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a spectacular 18-arched stone and cast iron aqueduct built to carry coal barges across the Vale of Llangollen. Designed by renowned engineer Thomas Telford, it was finished in 1805 after undergoing 10 years of construction. It is classified as the world’s highest navigable aqueduct, and at 336 yards is the longest such structure in the country.
Bodnant Garden
For those who enjoy gardening, Bodnant Garden shouldn’t be missed; as one of the oldest and most visited formal gardens in Wales. Situated on a hillside overlooking the Conwy Valley, near the small village of Tal-y-Cafn. In addition to the wonderful flora on show, it also offers spectacular views over the surrounding Carneddau peaks. Covering an impressive 80 acres, Bodnant was established in 1874 and retains a lot of the original explorer collections. A big draw though, is the garden’s magnificent 55-meter-long Laburnum Arch, planted in 1880 and flowering each May to June.
