It’s a “classic Victorian beach town” but with so much more to offer, including cable cars and a secret beach
Llandudno was named one of the best seaside towns in the UK (Image: Daily Post Wales)
This weekend marks the start of the school holidays for families across the country.
With weeks stretching ahead that need filling with fun activities to keep kids and little ones happy, there’s one day out that can always be relied upon for putting a smile on everyone’s faces – a trip to the seaside.
Fortunately for us in Greater Manchester there’s several coastal resorts within easy reach, whether you fancy a cheap train ride to Southport, a picnic at Arnside or a trip to the Wirral Coastline.
Naturally the beaches of North Wales are always popular with Mancunians, and one town in particular has been named among the best in the UK by The Times.
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The publication included Llandudno in its list of the best seaside towns in the UK for 2025.
The pier is full of old fashioned seaside charm(Image: Getty Images)
It described the town as the “grande dame of Welsh seaside tourism” with “a formula that either doesn’t need fixing or is unfixable.”
The Times wrote: “It’s the embodiment of a classic Victorian beach town and has a promenade, sandy stretches on either side of the Creuddyn peninsula and, against considerable odds, a Punch and Judy show.”
If you’re looking for a quintessential seaside experience, then this place has it. Llandudno boasts a beautiful pier with an arcade, ice cream kiosks and fish and chip stands.
Llandudno promenade and beach(Image: Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)
It’s also got a sweeping pebble beach lined with a long promenade which exudes Victorian charm.
Yet there’s also a whole other side to Llandudno, as the Times highlights: “Away from the shore, most visitors now also choose to spend some time hiking the hulking peak known as the Great Orme.”
This headland overlooks Llandudno and from its 679ft summit you can see as far as the Isle of Man and the Lake District.
Visitors who don’t fancy hiking can reach the summit by hitching a ride on the tramway – the only cable-hauled public road tramway in Britain, which opened in 1902.
It takes you through the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve all the way to the summit.
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Another way to experience the Great Orme is via the famous cable cars, which run from Happy Valley to the summit, offering incredible views of the area.
West Shore Beach(Image: Jeff Buck/ geograph.org.uk)
Llandudno also has a hidden gem up its sleeve. On the opposite side of the headland to the main beach is West Shore beach, which has remained under-the-radar for a lot of visitors.
Here the beach is golden and sandy, backed by dunes. It’s quieter than the other side of town, with just one cafe – West Shore Beach Cafe.
It has gorgeous views of the Conwy Estuary and Anglesey in the distance, and there’s a designated bathing spot if you’re feeling brave enough.
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