How dog friendly is Llandudno?
Llandudno stands out as an exceptional dog-friendly destination, offering a diverse range of activities for solo adventurers, couples, or families accompanied by their beloved four-legged companions. Fondly referred to as the 'Queen of Welsh resorts,' this Victorian coastal gem proudly claims the title of the largest seaside resort in Wales. Conveniently accessible by car or train, Llandudno has captivated visitors since the 19th Century, thanks to its uniqueness and myriad of attractions. Whether you're looking for the lively energy of a bustling town or the serene charm of tranquil settings, Llandudno caters to every preference. Discover a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and contemporary delights in this coastal haven.
So what dog friendly walks and attractions are there in Llandudno? Well, here’s our top 10 .
Visit its beaches and promenade
Llandudno has two enchanting beaches and a picturesque promenade, each one is different, but both have their own unique charm.
1) North Shore beach and Llandudno Promenade
North Shore boasts a delightful beach featuring a mix of rocky terrain and small sandy patches. Dog-friendly access is available during specific periods only, from mid-September to mid-May. However, the scenic promenade, which extends from the Great Orme to the Little Orme, is an enjoyable and steady lead walk all year round. It’s perfect for immersing yourself in the refreshing sea breeze while admiring the charming Victorian seafront architecture of Llandudno.
The Northshore area is the busiest of the two beaches with lots of events held on promenade, from fun runs to car shows - it’s definitely the place to be if you’re looking for a little bit of ‘life’. And what’s more it’s home of the beautiful Victorian Llandudno pier (more on the pier below) and the closest beach to Llandudno’s main high street and other attractions.
2) West Shore beach Llandudno
West shore beach in Llandudno has large parts that are dog friendly all year round. It’s a fantastic beach to go to to get away from the hustle and bustle of Llandudno, and to let your dog run, play and paddle off lead. The beach has spectacular views of Conwy Mountain, Snowdonia and beyond. In spring and summer you’ll often find people windsurfing, picnicking and building sand castles - and ultimately, just taking some ‘chill time. You can find out more about Westshore beach on our blog.
3) Visit Llandudno’s Victorian Pier
Llandudno Pier proudly holds the title of being the longest pier in Wales, it’s Victorian design earns it a well-deserved Grade Two listing. The pier extends a warm welcome to dogs on lead. Although the arcade areas have a no-dog policy, there's no shortage of charming stalls to explore during your visit. And, if you’re looking to pause and unwind, the Oceans bar situated at the pier's end offers a dog-friendly environment both indoors and outdoors, making it an ideal pit stop for you and your four-legged companion, no matter the season.
4) Ride the Victorian Tram
If you’re heading up the Great Orme, but don’t fancy the walk, you can take the Victorian tram to the summit (more on the summit below). Dogs are welcome on the Great Orme Tram at a small cost, but service dogs are free of charge.
The tram has two stops, the halfway point with information about its Victorian engineering, walks and the Great Orme Mines nearby (yep that’s dog friendly too, more about the mined coming up) and then the summit stop with breath taking views, cafes, a playground and a dog-friendly visitor centre.
For more information about opening times, and ticket prices you can visit the Great Orme Tram website
5) Visit the 3,500 year old Great Orme Mines
At the tram's halfway point, a brief walk guides you to the Great Orme copper mines, a 3,500-year-old dog-friendly attraction offering both educational and enjoyable experiences. If you choose not to take the tram, you can also drive or walk to reach it.
The attraction extends a warm welcome to your four-legged friends for all areas. However, it's important to note that there are some grids that some dogs may find uncomfortable to walk on, and the attraction operates only seasonally.
Visit the Orme Mine website to find out more.
6) Ride the UK's Longest Cable Cars
If you’re looking to visit the Great Orme summit then riding the Happy Valley Great Orme Cable cars is another option for getting there. You'll be pleased to know that these cable cars are dog-friendly, welcoming your furry companions on board. Notably, Llandudno’s cable cars hold the distinction of being the longest passenger car system in the UK, transporting you in approximately 9 minutes to the top.
While aboard the cable car, you can enjoy stunning views of Llandudno and its surrounding seas and mountains, as well as catch glimpses of some of the Great Orme's other attractions. For more information on the cable cars, please visit their website.
7) Reach the Great Orme Summit
At the Great Orme Summit, you’ll find breath taking views of the Irish seas and beyond. You don't have to get the tram or cable car to get here. You can also drive or walk.
There’s a playground for kids, crazy golf and a dog friendly café for you and your pooch to stop for a much-earned break from exploring the area. There’s also little walks to explore where you can get different view points of the Ormes surrounding beauty.
The summit also has a small dog friendly visitor centre where you can learn more about Great Ormes history, and its biodiversity and wildlife.
For more info on the Great Orme Summit see our blog.
Note - for those who are interested in the other activities on the Orme (that dogs can’t participate in) there is also the toboggan and skiing at the Orme Ski Centre. You can get here by walking up through Happy Valley (see the Happy Valley blog) or driving.
8) Get the town under your feet with the Alice and Wonderland trail
For those who aren’t aware, it’s long been speculated that Lewis Carroll wrote Alice and Wonderland while visiting family friends in Llandudno, with the character Alice inspired by his friend’s 8 year old daughter, also called Alice, and her adventures in Llandudno. So to celebrate this connection, Llandudno has a trail of Alice and Wonderland wood carvings, that you can find scattered around Llandudno town, and on the Great Orme. Following the trail is a great way to get the town under your and your dog's feet, just make sure to get photos of your dog with each wooden statue!
You can buy the official Alice Town Trail from the Tourist Information Centre in Llandudno ( Found in the Victoria Centre, LL30 2RP) or online here.
9) Learn about life during World War 2 at the Home Front Museum
Llandudno is so dog friendly, even one of its local museums is welcoming of our four legged friends. It’s open during the main tourism season at the end of March to the end of October.
The indoor attraction intends to immerse you in the sounds, sights and feelings of the second world war. It’s an interesting private collection built up over 40 years.
For more information you can visit the Home Front website.
10) Admire the seals at the Little Orme
The Little Orme is at the other end of Llandudno, opposite the Great Orme. If you’re interested in wildlife and are looking for a break from the hustle of the town then this is the place for you. Wild seals regularly bask on its beach, and if you catch them at the right time of year and day, you can sit and watch them as they bathe on the beach and bop around in the surrounding waters. If you’re interested in finding out more about the Little Orme, we have a blog on it.
Added bonus - keep your eyes peeled for Llandudno’s famous Kashmir goats, they’re regularly trotting around Great Orme or in the town causing mischief.
So, for a fun filled dog friendly walk, day out or break away, why not visit Llandudno? And if you find yourself looking for a bite to eat while in the area, here's 9 dog friendly cafes and restaurants in Llandudno.
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