Nestled between the Great Orme and the Little Orme, Llandudno is a charming seaside resort that offers a myriad of attractions and activities to explore. The Great Orme, standing tall at 679 feet above sea level, is a nature reserve and Country Park with a rich history, diverse wildlife, and stunning views. Let us guide you on the best ways to make the most of your visit to this incredible destination.
Hop on for a Ride
Two of the Great Orme’s major attractions hold British records and provide unique transportation to the summit. The Llandudno Cable Car, Britain’s longest cable car lift, offers a breathtaking mile-long journey with stunning views 651ft above sea level. The Great Orme Tramway, the country’s only cable-hauled street Tramway, allows you to travel in original Victorian Tramcars and offers a fascinating Halfway Station exhibition.
Explore on Foot
The Great Orme offers an abundance of superb walks, including the Summit Trail, Nature Trail, and Historic Trail, as part of the 800-mile long Wales Coastal Path. The Summit’s Visitor Centre provides 3-D maps, interactive exhibits about the headland’s nature, wildlife, and history, as well as a free audio trail. Haulfre Gardens and Happy Valley Gardens also offer scenic walks with beautiful landscapes and serene paths.
For those seeking exhilarating exercise, the Llandudno Snowsports Centre offers skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing activities, promising fantastic fun for all ages. Alternatively, you can explore the Great Orme by bike, with a range of bike hire options available nearby.
Archaeological Marvels
Discover the astounding Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines, thought to be the largest prehistoric mine in the world. Self-guided tours allow you to explore underground tunnels mined over 3,500 years ago and visit the opencast mine, providing insight into our ancestors’ lives. The headland also features numerous ancient monuments, including a Neolithic burial chamber, a Roman Well, a ruined abbey, and Pen Dinas Iron Age hill fort with the legendary Rocking Stone.
Flora and Wildlife
The Great Orme’s diverse habitat is home to over 400 native and rare flora species, making it a popular filming spot for TV programmes. Keep an eye out for the wild Cotoneaster, Bloody Crane’s-bill geranium, the perennial Thrift, Sea Campion, Pyramidal Orchid, Common Rock-rose, and Wild Thyme. The headland also hosts a population of Kashmiri goats, descended from a pair presented to Queen Victoria, and is home to a variety of seabirds, native and rare butterflies, moths, and other wildlife.
Reaching the Summit
Whether you’ve walked, cycled, driven, or taken a tram or cable car to the summit, the panoramic views of Anglesey, the Isle of Man, the Lake District, and Snowdon on clear days are truly unforgettable. The summit also features a café, gift shop, children’s playground, and mini golf to enjoy.
Great Orme Vertical
For thrill-seekers, the Great Orme Vertical offers a range of climbing and mountaineering activities, including abseiling, rock climbing, sea level traversing, and scrambling. With instruction for all levels of ability in groups or private sessions, you can explore the adventure terrain with specialist equipment, fully qualified instruction, and comprehensive insurance cover.
So, whether you’re seeking scenic walks, thrilling activities, or a dive into ancient history, the Great Orme has something for everyone. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
The Imperial Hotel is perfectly located just a short distance from the Great Orme, so you can enjoy a full Welsh breakfast ahead of your day of adventuring up the Orme, and return to a relaxing session in our Mint Condition leisure facilities, followed by a delicious dinner in Chantrey’s restaurant.