Copyright walesonline
This town in North Wales has a long history of welcoming holidaymakers from across the UK, earning itself the title “Queen of the Welsh Watering Places”. The Victorian seaside gem Llandudno , and its vibrant history, is thought to date all the way back to the Bronze Age. It's these unique elements that draw in visitors keen to see the stunning landscapes of the Conwy Valley and learn about the area's rich heritage. In fact, Llandudno has been previously described as one of the safest places to live in the UK, with roughly 19,700 residents lucky to call it home. Not to mention, it's far cheaper to visit and stay than most of its fellow seaside competitors. There are two main beaches stretching across the coast, the North Shore Beach and the West Shore Beach. On the north you’ll find a long promenade classic to any British seaside town. Although, what makes it stand out amongst the rest is that it's lined with palm trees – like a Mediterranean paradise. Sitting peacefully along from North Shore Beach is the Great Orme cliffside, offering a trip up on the Great Orme Tramway, taking you to new heights via cable cars. One impressed visitor wrote: "The cable car ride was amazing; for the length of the journey, £14 per return (this was the price in 2024) is pretty reasonable. The views are stunning, and you can see for miles on a really clear day, which we had." On the West Shore, sitting on the opposite side of the town, there are sweeping views of the Snowdonian mountainside. A TripAdvisor review reads: "One of my favourite beaches anywhere: unspoilt, dog-friendly, free of kiosks and vendors – just sea, rock and sand. Stunning views of the Great Orme. Lots of parking." The town of Llandudno has developed all the way from the Stone Age through to the Iron Age with numerous settlements over the years on the slopes of the limestone, better known as the Great Orme. Visitors travel far and wide to see the headland, which can take up to four hours to complete on foot. The Victorian promenade, more commonly called The Parade, and the iconic pier are two of the town's glorious landmarks, built in 1877. After undergoing restorations, the pier has since been named as one of the best in the entirety of the UK. On visiting the pier, one person said: "Excellent pier experience. A Punch and Judy, plenty of arcades, hair braiding/colouring, a good walk, fun stalls and a cafe with a wonderful lady singer belting out Amy Winehouse numbers. There's even a little display of historical photos to show when the pier was used for the ferries. Well worth a visit."
