Llandudno - Victorian Resort Town in North Wales

North Wales is one of the most picturesque parts of the United Kingdom. Thanks to the combination of wide sandy beaches along the coast and the mountains of Snowdonia inland, this area has long been a favorite holiday destination for the people of England, and there are a number of pretty Victorian Resort towns along the coast that offer visitors a wide range of different attractions and experiences that are well suited to either a short break or a longer holiday for families of all ages.

Llandudno is perhaps the best known and most established of all the coastal resorts of North Wales, and has a surprising amount to see and do. In common with other resorts of the same era such as Brighton and Blackpool, the sea front promenade is the focus of life in the town, and is dominated by an elegant crescent of white painted Victorian houses that have mostly been converted into small hotels and guest houses.

One of the things that people particularly enjoy about visiting Llandudno is that the historic town center is so relaxed that it lends itself well to almost any type of visitor. Younger people will enjoy the range of different bars and clubs that are located just behind the main row of hotels, while older visitors will love the traditional tea rooms and arcades that line the sea front.

Llandudno has two large natural beaches at either end of the town. The larger Northern beach is ideal for sunbathing, and the calm water makes it safe for children to swim in, while the south facing beach tends to attract kite fliers, surfers and windsurfers thanks to the greater exposure to the wind and sea.

Just west of the town of Llandudno is the Great Orme. This limestone mountain is a dedicated bird sanctuary with many unique species including puffins nesting on it. A cable car connects the town with the visitor's center at the top, and there is a pleasant cafe and tea shop there for tourists to enjoy the views over the Irish Sea from.

Aside from a number of coastal walks through the wildlife areas, the Great Orme also has the largest dry ski slope in North Wales, which is very popular during the summer months, and provides great practice for the winter. There is also a number of challenging rock faces on the mountain that attract climbers of all abilities.