If you are looking for a seaside destination that genuinely delivers for the whole family, Llandudno deserves to be at the top of your list. It is not just a pretty Victorian promenade and a nice beach, although it has both of those in abundance. It is a town packed with things to do for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, and it has been welcoming families for well over a hundred years.
Here is our complete guide to making the most of Llandudno with kids.
The Great Orme Cable Car
Start here. The Great Orme Cable Car is the longest passenger cable car system in Britain and it has been running since 1969. It takes you from Happy Valley on the seafront all the way up to the Great Orme summit, 679 feet above sea level, with views across the bay, the Conwy Estuary and out towards the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man on a clear day.
Kids absolutely love it. The cabins are small and the views are spectacular and slightly vertiginous in the best possible way. At the top there is a cafe, a visitor centre and, if you are lucky, the famous Kashmiri goats who roam freely across the headland and have a habit of appearing from nowhere right beside you. Worth going up even just for that. While you are up there, it is also worth stopping at St Tudno’s Church on the Great Orme, one of the oldest churches in Wales and a beautiful, peaceful spot with the most extraordinary views.
The Great Orme Tramway
If the cable car is the dramatic option, the tramway is the charming one. The Great Orme Tramway has been running since 1902, making it one of the oldest cable-hauled street tramways in the world, and it still runs on its original Victorian track. It takes you from Victoria Station in the town centre up to the Great Orme summit in two stages, with a change of tram halfway up at the Halfway Station.
Children who are into trains will be completely in their element. It is slow, it is rattly, it is brilliant. And the views on the way up are genuinely stunning.
Llandudno Pier and Funfair
No seaside visit is complete without the pier, and Llandudno Pier is one of the best in Britain. At 700 metres it is the longest pier in Wales, stretching out over the sea with views back to the Great Orme on one side and out to the bay on the other.
The funfair at the end of the pier is perfect for younger children. Rides, games, arcades, the classic seaside experience. Add in the donkey rides on the beach and the traditional Punch and Judy shows that run through the summer months and you have got a full afternoon without even trying. There are plenty of places to grab food along the pier and the promenade, and an ice cream on the way back is basically mandatory.
Bounce Below and Adventure Activities
For something completely different, Bounce Below is one of those activities that children talk about for years afterwards. Set inside a vast underground cavern in a disused slate mine in nearby Blaenau Ffestiniog, it features giant illuminated trampolines, slides and nets suspended in the dark deep underground. Absolutely spectacular and unlike anything else in Wales.
For older children and teenagers who want something with a bit more edge, MoR Stand Up Paddleboarding offers lessons right on the Llandudno seafront, which is a brilliant way to see the bay from a completely different angle.
Llandudno’s Chocolate Experience
This one is a genuine surprise and a firm favourite with children and adults alike. Llandudno’s Chocolate Experience takes you on a journey through 5,000 years of chocolate history, starting with the ancient peoples of Central America and working through nine distinct eras including an Aztec temple, a pirate ship and a replica World War One trench. It is immersive, it is educational without feeling like it, and yes, you get to eat chocolate. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or a change of pace from the outdoor activities.
Johnny Throws — Axe Throwing
For older children and teenagers this one tends to go down very well. Johnny Throws is Llandudno’s axe throwing venue, offering a genuinely fun and surprisingly safe introduction to one of the most satisfying activities you can do on a family holiday. Sessions are supervised and no experience is needed. Teenagers who claim to be bored by everything tend to leave very happy.
Bodafon Farm
Just outside the town centre, Bodafon Farm is a genuine working farm open to the public and one of the best family days out in the area. It is home to the Owls Trust, where you can get up close to a huge collection of owls, and you can feed the goats, deer and llamas. Tractor and trailer rides run around the farm, there is a mini tractor play area for younger children, and there is a cafe and bar on site making it easy to spend a full half day here without anyone getting hungry or restless.
Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre
Yes, you can ski in Llandudno. The ski slope runs year round and offers skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing for all ability levels. The real highlight for families is the Cresta Toboggan run, the longest of its kind in Wales at 750 metres, with beautiful views over Llandudno Bay on the way down. There is also a miniature golf course on site for a gentler option. It is an unexpected addition to a seaside holiday and children tend to think it is brilliant that you can spend the morning on the beach and the afternoon on a ski slope.
The Alice Trail and the Great Orme Copper Mines
Llandudno has a strong connection to Alice in Wonderland. Alice Liddell, the real girl who inspired Lewis Carroll’s story, spent her childhood holidays here. The Alice Trail takes you through the town following in her footsteps, with plenty of discoveries along the way. It is a lovely way to explore with younger children who love the stories.
For something older and underground, the Great Orme Copper Mines are regarded as the largest prehistoric copper mines in the world, dating back to the Bronze Age and featuring narrow tunnels and a Victorian mine shaft. Children who are not claustrophobic tend to find it fascinating.
Day Trips from Llandudno
If you want to venture a little further afield, Llandudno makes a brilliant base for day trips across North Wales. Conwy Castle is just a short drive away and is one of the finest medieval castles in Europe, with walls the children can walk along and towers to climb. For something more adventurous, Surf Snowdonia in the Conwy Valley offers world class inland surfing in a purpose-built lagoon, brilliant for older children and teenagers. And if you fancy a scenic steam train ride, the Llangollen Railway runs through some of the most beautiful countryside in Wales.
Where to Eat with Kids
Llandudno has a great range of family-friendly places to eat. Carlos is a local favourite for relaxed dining, and Da Venezia is one of the best Italian restaurants in North Wales, consistently popular with families. For something informal, the pier and promenade have plenty of cafes and fish and chip shops to keep everyone happy.
A Great Base for a Family Stay
The Oasis sits right on the Llandudno seafront, putting you within easy walking distance of the pier, the promenade, the cable car and the tramway. We have rooms to suit families of different sizes and every stay includes a proper cooked breakfast to set everyone up for the day ahead.
If you are bringing the dog along too, take a look at our dog friendly guide to Llandudno as well. And if you are planning an evening at Venue Cymru, we explain why Llandudno is the perfect location for a theatre break with the theatre literally on your doorstep.
Book direct at theoasiswales.co.uk for the best available rates and come and discover why Llandudno has been a favourite family destination for generations.
