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Llandudno & Great Orme Llandudno – Queen of Welsh Resorts
The popular North Wales seaside resort of Llandudno, situated between the Great Orme and Little Orme, is the perfect base for a relaxing stay with time at leisure or to explore the surrounding area. Take a stroll along the promenade lined with colourful hotels to the Victorian pier, which is home to amusements, rides and spectacular views to Happy Valley and along the bay. Take a trip to the top of the Great Orme via the Victorian tramway or cable car, or simply explore the shops and enjoy refreshments at one of the many cafés. Choose from our three carefully selected hotels. WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA Penderyn Distillery tour & tasting, Llandudno Take a tour and tasting and learn about the founding of this famous and award-winning brand and what makes the different whiskies taste as they do. It’s reputation as a quality whisky producer is growing by the year. Ride to the top of the Great Orme Enjoy a ride on a renovated Victorian tram to the top of the Great Orme for wonderful views back to Llandudno and across Anglesey as well as the peaks of Snowdonia. Climbing to 1500 metres, there’s a stop at the Halfway Station to visit the exhibition telling all about this fascinating funicular. Isle of Anglesey Nearby Anglesey has much to enjoy and one of North Wales’s best kept secrets is Plas Cadnant with its beautifully restored gardens. It’s close enough to Beaumaris with its medieval castle, to do both in a morning. From here it is easy to take a boat cruise to Puffin Island Cruise. Alternatively a trip to Halen Môn (Anglesey Sea Salt) makes an interesting visit. Little Trains of North Wales There’s a great choice of railways both heritage and narrow-gauge, we have selected a few to consider. At 3,560ft, Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales and a ride on the Snowdon Mountain Railway will take you to “the rooftop of Wales” and, weather permitting, spectacular views. The Visitor Centre has a gift shop and café. Llanberis Lake Railway, a narrow- gauge railway which follows the shores of the lake. Ffestiniog Railway in the heart of Snowdonia, is a 13.5 mile journey with dramatic views of mountains, lakes and waterfalls around every corner. Bala Lake Railway is a narrow-gauge railway that runs along the southern shoreline of Lake Bala, the largest natural lake in Wales, and travels from Llanuwchllyn to Bala, enjoying magnificent views of the lake and beautiful Snowdonia National Park. Keep eyes peeled for possible sightings of the herons and buzzards that nest close by. Llangollen Railway, which is primarily a steam hauled heritage railway, offers a 90 minute return journey. It begins beside the Dee River Bridge in the town centre and continues for 10 miles upstream to Carrog station, with spectacular views over the River Dee. Castles It wouldn’t be a visit to Wales without seeing a castle or two, and Llandudno is close to two of its finest. Firstly Caernarfon Castle; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a stunning example of architecture from the Middle Ages, it stands regally on the banks of the River Seiont and still stirs the imagination. Conwy Castle is of a similar mould, built by Edward l. Towering over the town, it is considered one of the most magnificent fortresses in Europe. Thanks to a restoration project, the battlements are accessible and offer wonderful views. Picture-perfect Chirk Castle reveals 400 years of changing tastes and fashions in its lavishly furnished rooms. The historic kitchen offers a lunch stop, whilst strolling through the beautiful gardens and standing on the terrace will reveal the 18th century ha-ha at the bottom of the garden and stunning views over the Cheshire and Salop Plains. Llangollen Horse Drawn Canal Trip Take a step back in time and experience a relaxing 2-hour horse-drawn canal boat cruise, admiring the Chain Bridge across the River Dee and marvelling at the manmade Horseshoe Falls, a striking feature on the river, whilst gliding along one of the most beautiful lengths of canal you will ever see. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Enjoy a 2 hour motorised canal boat trip on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which travels along a five mile stretch of the Llangollen Canal. The trip includes crossing the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, known as the ‘Stream in the Sky’. Portmeirion
This iconic Italianate architecture was designed by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century and makes for an intriguing visit. The colourful collection of buildings is fringed with wondrous ornamental gardens, giving the village a subtropical feel that seems far removed from Wales. There’s also a great range of shops, restaurants and cafés, so you won’t be short of shopping and eating opportunities. Chester Why not spend a day in the historic city of Chester with the most complete city walls and largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, plus a 1,000
year old cathedral and 700 year old unique shopping rows. Visit the cathedral (free entry) and its 13th century refectory before heading to the High Cross at midday (11am on race days) to hear the Town Crier’s public proclamations (Tues - Sat Jun - Aug). In the afternoon, why not take a 30 minute return river cruise on the River Dee, sailing upstream, under the suspension bridge to the city limits.
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