Wednesday Vacation Blogging: Llandudno, Wales
Early in the European vacation, Wales was a quiet second stop on our journey around the UK. We took the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, and from there took the train to Llandudno (Wales' largest resort!). Llandudno is a quiet, faded seaside town (though not without a certain residual charm) that has as its main attractions a Victorian pier that dates from the late 1800s, a long beachfront Promenade, lots of older hotels and bed-and-breakfasts, a few decent local pubs, and the Great Orme, which is essentially a big hill overlooking the town and the sea and which contains a whole lot of sheep, an ancient copper mine and a bar/restaurant/gift shop. Nearby is the town of Conwy, with an ancient, well-preserved castle.
As always, click on the pictures for larger versions.
The view from the train station at Holyhead.
Waiting for the train.
The pier and the Grand Hotel. The hotel has seen better days, like when Winston Churchill stayed there some 70 years ago or more.
The view across the bay from the pier.
The Promenade stretches for miles along the beach.
A Victorian-era bandstand along the Promenade.
Mostyn Street, the main street of the town, is full of shops and restaurants, and, unfortunately, at least one KFC.
City Hall. The Welsh flag, with its red dragon against a field of green and white, has to be one of the coolest flags in the world.
The town is filled with old Victorian and Edwardian hotels like this one. This is the White House!
The tram has been taking visitors to the top of the Great Orme for over a hundred years. It also takes them down, for which we were very grateful.
My father wanted to buy this property and turn it into a Welsh version of Hollywood's Magic Castle (he's a member there). Either that or Llandudno's first and only Internet cafe.
Just a quiet vacation home in the country, overlooking the sea. This was near the village of Conwy.
The pier, which still features a number of Victorian-era food stalls, bars, entertainment arcades and shops of various kinds.
Typical British (or Welsh -- same difference) fare available on the pier. Mmmm... gravy...
A restaurant at the end of the pier.
Nearby Conwy Castle, well-preserved and open for tours.
The village of Conwy.
Some of the local residents.
A last look at Conwy Castle and the bridge on our way out of town.
As always, click on the pictures for larger versions.
The view from the train station at Holyhead.Waiting for the train.The pier and the Grand Hotel. The hotel has seen better days, like when Winston Churchill stayed there some 70 years ago or more.The view across the bay from the pier.The Promenade stretches for miles along the beach.A Victorian-era bandstand along the Promenade.Mostyn Street, the main street of the town, is full of shops and restaurants, and, unfortunately, at least one KFC.City Hall. The Welsh flag, with its red dragon against a field of green and white, has to be one of the coolest flags in the world.The town is filled with old Victorian and Edwardian hotels like this one. This is the White House!The tram has been taking visitors to the top of the Great Orme for over a hundred years. It also takes them down, for which we were very grateful.My father wanted to buy this property and turn it into a Welsh version of Hollywood's Magic Castle (he's a member there). Either that or Llandudno's first and only Internet cafe.Just a quiet vacation home in the country, overlooking the sea. This was near the village of Conwy.The pier, which still features a number of Victorian-era food stalls, bars, entertainment arcades and shops of various kinds.Typical British (or Welsh -- same difference) fare available on the pier. Mmmm... gravy...A restaurant at the end of the pier.Nearby Conwy Castle, well-preserved and open for tours.The village of Conwy.Some of the local residents.A last look at Conwy Castle and the bridge on our way out of town.
posted by Generik at 11:19 AM
<< Home