Llandudno

Llandudno

The name Llandudno derives from the name of a famous Welsh saint: Saint Tudno, who founded a small church here in the 7th century. This little church is situated on the Great Orme, the massive rock overlooking the town and the sea. Saint Tudno was undoubtedly the patron saint of the local fishermen who once fished in these hostile waters.

Llandudno is a typical Victorian Seaside resort. The town has a wide seafront promenade, a famous peer and a sandy beach. In fact, the town is fortunate enough to have two beaches. The western beach is considered the most sheltered with its fine sandy beach and dunes.

One of the town's most famous visitors was the writer and mathematician Lewis Caroll, author of Alice in Wonderland. Look out for the curious statue of a white rabbit on the West Promenade not far from the house where the writer spent many summers.

The town lies at the foot of the Great Orme's Head, which towers over it like a dormant volcano. You can visit the Orme by cable lift form Happy Valley. There is also a tramway from Victoria Station in Church Walks. If you are feeling energetic, you can also go up by foot. The views are spectacular and on a clear day, you can see Anglesey, Snowdonia and sometimes even the Isle of Man and the Cumbrian mountains in the North-West of England. The Llandudno area is also steeped in history. Man first arrived here in pre-historic times more than 4000 years ago to mine copper, which they used to make tools and weapons and probably exported as well. Several examples can be seen in the town's museum. Numerous caves have also been found around the Orme, with the remains of many extinct animals besides humans.