If you are planning a trip away, you need to look at Llandudno and below, we will be looking at all of the great things to do in Llandudno.
Whether you’re visiting Llandudno for the first or third time, there are some quintessential experiences that you’ll only find in this gem of a Welsh town.
There is something for everyone here, from horse-drawn carriage rides along the scenic promenade to watching the waves break over Great Orme headland. We have a few suggestions underneath, but feel free to ask a local or even better – why not do it yourself?
Here are Our Top Things To Do in Llandudno
Watch the waves roll in
There’s nothing more rewarding than watching the swell of water crash onto the coast. Take a stroll along the sweep of Llandudno’s beach and see for yourself! You can also take a ride on the Llandudno Cable Car and look down on the sea as it crashes against the shore. Sitting and watching the sea breathing in the sea air is not only one of the cheapest things to do in Llandudno but also one of the most relaxing.
Go for a horse-drawn carriage ride
There’s nothing more classic than taking a ride through Llandudno town in an old fashioned, beautifully painted Horse Drawn Carriage. The horse-drawn carriage tours give you great insight into the landmarks of Llandudno and take you past some of the best British holiday homes in North Wales.
There is something very romantic about wafting about in a horse-drawn carriage, listening to the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves on the streets of Llandudno and getting lost in the romance and majesty of this area.
Rolling around the streets of Llandudno in a horse-drawn carriage is going to be memorable, and that is why we have listed it on our top things to do in Llandudno.
Visit Great Orme headland
The headland at Llandudno is known for its breathtaking views and fascinating historical sites. You can hike up to the summit, where you’ll find one of the most popular tourist attractions, the Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mine. The mine is the only one of its kind in Europe, and it’s been preserved almost entirely as it was 2000 years ago.
Many paths will take you up to the summit from all over Llandudno. Some paths start from behind St Tudno’s Church on Y Maes, but if you want a more scenic route, head up the Great Orme Tramway, which runs from just above the promenade.
The views alone should be enough to make you want to add the Great Orme headland onto your things to do in Llandudno.
Walk the old streets of Llandudno
Llandudno promenade is lined with Victorian buildings that are just begging to be explored on foot. Of particular interest is Saint Tudno’s Church which stands proudly by the sea and has a history that dates back to 560AD. You can also visit the town’s Parish Church, Saint John’s, where you’ll find the oldest font in the whole of Wales.
Walking and exploring anywhere on this fascinating planet and something I love to do is get lost and walk about with no plan or map, just wandering about the streets exploring the local bars, pubs and restaurants.
See Llandudno Lifeboat Station
A trip to Llandudno wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the hard work of the dedicated crew at the town’s lifeboat station. You can visit and see some artefacts from the station’s history, or perhaps even get involved by taking part in one of their rescue simulations. The lifeboat station is located between North and West Shore Beaches on the promenade.
It was the UK’s only lifeboat station to be located in the middle of a town. Unlike most other lifeboat stations, Llandudno Lifeboat Station was located midway between the two shores of Llandudno. The reason for Llandudno Lifeboat’s unusual position stems from the boathouse being built in 1861 so that it could be towed to either of Llandudno’s two shores at the same speed.
Go shopping in Llandudno’s Victorian arcades
Llandudno is home to a number of picturesque arcades that are just waiting to be explored. The town has been referred to as ‘Little Monaco’ because of its large number of designer shops. Still, you can also find smaller retailers offering great value for money throughout the promenade.
Llandudno’s five arcades, Llandudno Arcade, Llandudno Pier Arcade, Llanelian Road Arcade, Llanrhos Arcade and Llandudno Victoria Street, offer a range of shops to suit all tastes. Whether you’re looking for clothes or jewellery, gifts or holiday essentials, arts and crafts or handmade soaps, Llandudno’s Victorian arcades undoubtedly have something to offer.
Some people love shopping and exploring, and with money burning a hole in their pocket, browsing around the Victorian arcades could be one of the things to do in Llandudno that you enjoy the most.
Visit Llandudno Pier
Llandudno’s pier is a huge attraction for locals and tourists alike! The Victorian pier has been a symbol of the town for over a century, and it continues to draw people in to enjoy the sea air and take in the view. You can find many great souvenir shops on the pier selling everything from candyfloss to local arts & crafts.
There is also a large amusement arcade which offers the perfect place to entertain the kids. Llandudno Pier has many great features, including Llandudno Lifeboat Station, Llandudno Museum, The North Wales Model Railway Centre & Llandudno Pier Theatre. Why not hire one of our luxury cottages in Llandudno and enjoy Llandudno Pier all year round.
A pier in any town will always be popular, and it is something about walking above the mesmerising water. This is why most towns with piers get added to our list and are the same reason it is added to our top things to do in Llandudno.
Learn more about local culture at Great Orme Mines
You might be surprised to learn that mining used to be a significant part of Llandudno’s economy! The Great Orme Mines opened in the 1800s, and at its height, around 130 miners were working within these tunnels. Nowadays, visitors can explore the mines, learn about their rich history and discover what life was like in the early 20th century.
Llandudno is home to an old slate mine! Visitors are welcome at the Great Orme Mines, where you can see all sorts of fossils within the slates. This attraction also offers guided tours, which provide lots of interesting facts about the history of the mines and life underground and is one of the very interesting things to do in Llandudno.
Visit Conwy Castle
Just two miles away from Llandudno is another beautiful castle – Conwy Castle! The castle stands at the edge of Conwy Bay and offers spectacular views across the water. The castle was built by Edward I and took more than 100 years to complete – it’s now a Grade 1 listed building and has been on English Heritage’s ‘At Risk’ register since 2009.20.
Conwy Castle makes a great day out for people of all ages, and Conwy is just two miles away from Llandudno. Conwy Bay is stunning so take some time to enjoy it!
Conwy Castle is a must-see while you’re in Conwy, and with stunning views of Conwy Bay, it makes for a great day out. Conwy also has some fantastic local shops, and Conwy Quay Marina is just five minutes from Conwy Castle by car.
Conwy Castle is a must-see while you’re in Conwy, and with stunning views of Conwy Bay, it makes for a great day out, so you must add it to your plan for things to do in Llandudno even if it is to get some great photographs.
Explore the Great Orme Nature Reserve
The spectacular Great Orme – one of the most well-known landforms in Llandudno – offers lots of opportunities for visitors to explore and enjoy nature. The Great Orme is home to one of only ten Blue Flag beaches in Wales and rare wildlife and fantastic views from the summit! There are also several interesting walks, which offer some great photo opportunities.
The Great Orme is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and designated for its botanical and zoological interest. The Great Orme has a host of unique wildlife, including peregrine falcons, ravens and choughs – a rare crow species. There are also various butterflies, sheep, and goats to be spotted, along with some fantastic wildflowers.
I don’t know many people who don’t like nature, so I will always add a nature reserve to my things to do in the Llandudno list.
Take a trip to Great Orme Country Park
The Great Orme Country Park is one of the best places in Llandudno to spot butterflies and rare plants and enjoy the spectacular scenery. The park offers 14 miles of public rights of way for you to explore, so you are free to go at your own pace. The Great Orme Country Park is located near the Great Orme Summit, which you can reach by taking either a gentle walk from the Marine Drive or by taking one of three steep paths up Great Orme’s Head. A word of warning, though – both the Great and Little Ormes have very steep cliffs, so it’s essential to avoid these when enjoying the area.
Exploring a country park with your children running free is a must for any family, and if you pick the perfect day and escape the weather, it will be one of those days you will never forget, so make sure you add it to your things to do in Llandudno list.
There are so many things to do in Llandudno
As you can see, there are so many things to do in Llandudno, and everywhere you look there will be an incredible photo opportunity so don’t forget to bring your camera or at the very least your mobile phone, so you can capture all things to do in Llandudno so you can capture those memories forever.
The UK has so much to offer, and that is why we are writing about things you can do in all of these beautiful places. We have written about the things to do in Liverpool, Manchester, York, and Bath. We are continuing this “things to do in ” series, and I hope you are enjoying reading about all of these great places.
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