With breathtaking coastal views, the UK’s ‘best’ pier, and the country’s only cable-hauled tramway still operating on public roads – this magnificent seaside town needs to be on your bucket list
Step back in time in this ‘vibrant’ Victorian coastal resort recently crowned one of the best UK towns to move to in 2025. Located on the Creuddyn peninsula in Conwy County Borough, Wales – Llandudno ticks all the necessary seaside criteria.
Here, you’ll find two golden sandy beaches, the UK’s ‘best pier’ which stretches out 700 metres into the Irish Sea (also making it one of the country’s longest), as well as a slew of acclaimed Fish & Chip shops and arcades. Llandudno is also just an hour’s drive to Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) – the highest mountain in Wales, nestled in the stunning Snowdonia National Park.
But, what really sets Llandudno apart from the rest is its Great Orme Tramway – which has been attracting droves of tourists since 1902. Described as an ‘engineering marvel of its age’, the Great Orme Tramway is the only cable-hauled tramway still operating on British public roads.
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“The journey begins at Victoria Station, a short distance from Llandudno’s seaside and pier,” explains Great Orme Tramway’s website. “Climb aboard one of our beautifully restored tramcars and start your ascent through the winding roads of the Great Orme.
“At the Halfway Station exhibition, you can discover the remarkable history of Victorian engineering and observe the Tramway’s powerful funicular system in action, before changing trams. Continue your journey to the Summit where the views are breath-taking. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far as the Isle of Man, Blackpool and the Lake District!”
Once at the summit, you can get out of the tramcar and visit the Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre, or simply admire the views with a summer picnic. The Bronze Age Copper Mines are also a stone’s throw away from the summit.
The attraction, which takes more than 200,000 passengers each year from Llandudno Victoria Station to the Great Orme, has been featured in a slew of TikTok videos. “Great scenic way to get up to Great Orme. I’ve been on it a few times,” one person hailed in the comments section. Another agreed, writing: “Love it! I visit every year,” while a third added: “Aren’t we lucky to have views like this in north Wales?”
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Located more than 250 miles from London, getting to Llandudno takes a gruelling five hours and seven minutes by car. However, direct trains from the Big Smoke can slash two hours off the journey. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab a single adult fare for as little as £29.
Accommodation in Llandudno varies depending on your budget. For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, July 11-13) at the four-star Llandudno Bay Hotel will set you back £219, based on two adults sharing. However, staying at the Grafton Guest House, which still has raving reviews, costs just £170 on the exact same dates.
The tram is runs Monday-Sunday from March 23 to September 30, and operates from 10am until 6pm. Standard return adult tickets start from £10.85, while children (aged three-16) will have to pay £7.75.
*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
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