One the UK's 'most entertaining' getaways is in North Wales
It's Bill Bryson's favourite seaside town, so it must being doing something right. While many of Britain's coastal resorts are in genteel decline, Llandudno is doing its best to buck the trend.
Being shoehorned between two headlands, with a great crescent of a promenade backed by handsome pastel-coloured hotels, and a stately pier stretching out into the bay, it will always have the bones of a classic seaside destination. Even without shops, restaurants and attractions (and North Shore sand), the resort still has a natural beauty guaranteed to appeal.
While its core demographic of visitors may be the wrong side of 50, Llandudno has enough going on to generate traditional seaside buzz. As an entertainment venue, it's not quite Blackpool, not does it wish to be. But if you care to look for it, there's plenty of ways to keep busy besides promenading with chips and ice cream.
This week, a survey named Llandudno the UK's 10th most 'entertaining resort' - it was second in Wales behind Swansea (5th). Inevitably, the list was headed by a glitzy Lancashire seaside town with an iconic tower and gaudy promenade lights.
Blackpool topped the pile – compiled by SuomiCasino from a shortlist of 26 – by virtue of its 12 water/amusement parks and, appropriately, 13 casinos. Swansea's ranking was boosted by its 529 bars and restaurants – more than three times the number attributed to Llandudno (148).
The survey was perhaps overly generous when it credited the Conwy town with four beaches – residents may wonder where half of them are. As the compilers used Tripadvisor's AI assistant, beaches at Penrhyn Bay and Deganwy might have been thrown in for good measure.
At the same time, Llandudno was credited with 58 'landmarks', the most in the top 10 other than Blackpool (67). It fared less well for music venues (two), casinos (one, apparently?) and escape rooms (one). But the town has plenty more besides donkey rides, boat trips, and Punch and Judy.
For the energetic, there a dry ski slope and a climbing centre. For families, the freshly renovated Craig-y-don paddling pool is always popular. The Great Orme has San Franciscan-style trams, alpine cable cars and simply spectacular views, including those from a road carved into the sea-cliff.
And does Blackpool have a 3,000-year-old prehistoric copper mines you can wander around? Or a network of Victorian tunnels dug out beneath its streets?
In the resort, tourists can visit chocolate and Home Front museums, and browse canopied shopping streets behind the seafront. Young and old can enjoy a blast of Wonderland whimsy by following the Alice Trail and its sculptures. Venue Cymru is huge, offering events, music and big touring productions.
Sure, some elements are naff and parts of the town need sprucing up, particularly the iconic Grand Hotel. Phone signals are dire and the seagulls vicious. But this is a place that trades on its dramatic location and that will never change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
33 minutes ago
- Time Out
Geelong is the top destination in Australia for city dwellers migrating to regional areas
While we will always be Melbourne's biggest advocates, we can understand that the hustle and bustle of a big city isn't for everyone. Sure, the allure of world-class restaurants and scintillating stage shows is undeniable, but there is also an appealing side to the slower life away from bright lights and traffic jams. So when a quieter lifestyle calls, where are people choosing to live? Well, it turns out there has been a huge surge in city dwellers opting for Melbourne's smaller sibling, the regional town of Geelong. So much so that the Greater Geelong area has been reported as the top destination in Australia for regional migration from capital cities. This intel comes from the latest edition of Regional Australia Institute 's quarterly Regional Movers Index (RMI), which in partnership with the Commonwealth Bank, used relocation data from its customer base of 14.3 million people to determine the stats. The RMI began after a big trend in people moving away from capital cities emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the average level of regional migration since then remaining consistently around 20.5 per cent higher than pre-pandemic times. Geelong was the most popular place in the country for people wanting a tree change during the 12 months to March 2025, seeing a 116 per cent increase in migration inflow from the same period the previous year. Other top regions across the country were the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Moorabool in Victoria and Maitland in New South Wales. The Victorian local government areas of Latrobe in Gippsland and Greater Bendigo were also among popular areas with the biggest growth in migration from capital cities. This trend isn't going anywhere either – it's still on the up. In the first quarter of 2025, migration from capital cities to regional areas increased by 10.5 per cent. Most of this movement has come from people leaving Sydney and Melbourne. We know there's plenty in the regions for tree-changers to enjoy – from quaint country towns to stunning national parks and heaps more. So for those leaving the concrete jungle behind, there's still plenty to explore.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful UK island has 'Caribbean-worthy beaches' with crystal-clear waters
Brits planning a staycation may want to head to one UK island where the beaches are so spectacular you could easily think you're actually in the Caribbean The UK is full of breathtaking beaches, but there's one staycation spot where the white sands and turquoise waters rival the shores of holiday hotspots like the Maldives or Caribbean islands. The Isle of Harris in Scotland's Outer Hebrides has beaches so spectacular, they regularly feature on round-ups of the world's best beaches, and it's not difficult to see why. The most famous, Luskentyre beach, boasts a remote location so it's unspoiled, with a handful of tourists wandering along the shores. It's a popular birdwatching spot thanks to the variety of species that nest near its picture-perfect sandy dunes, green landscapes and eye-catching rocky cliffs. The white sands and crystal-clear waters could easily be mistaken for those from an exotic tropical destination, although visitors have warned that the cold waters can be a stark reminder that you're very much still in Scotland. (Pack a wetsuit if you are tempted to take a dip). On Tripadvisor, visitors who made the trek continue to be floored by how picturesque of a setting the beach is. One happy holidaymaker wrote: "10 out 5! This beach is Outstanding!!! I've never seen anything quite like it before. The views on the drive up to the car park are other-worldly. Beautiful turquoise water, soft golden sand that stretches for miles, grass covered dunes. There's a public toilet at the car park with a donation box, so that's helpful! The wind blew warm when we were there in early May, and it was so much warmer than the other end of the island we visited later the same day. As we were walking out we even got to see 2 highland cows sitting on the bluff overlooking the beach, chewing their cud." Another added: "Luskentyre beach is the most stunning beach I have ever visited, which is saying something, as I am in my seventieth year. When I first saw it my breath was literally taken away. It has beautiful sand and is never crowded. The sea is crystal clear and there are views across to Taransay." It's not the only awe-inspiring bit of coast on the island. Head over to Seilebost, a tiny village with a campsite that offers up some ridiculously gorgeous views of Luskentyre as well as boasting its own beautiful golden sandy shores. "As with all the beaches on Harris the views are magnificent," wrote one intrepid explorer. "Ample car parking beside the Old School and a short walk across the dunes to the beach. Long curved beach which had a calm lagoon area at low tide. Strangely the sand on this beach was much softer than all the others but still excellent for a long walk." Top tip: head over in the evenings in late spring and summer when the primroses flower for something extra Instagram-worthy! If you want to visit the Isle of Harris, you can do so by either ferry or air. According to Visit Scotland, there are daily car ferries from Ullapool on the mainland to Stornoway, the main town of Lewis and Harris. Meanwhile the port of Tarbert on Harris is linked to Uig on the Isle of Skye, which also has daily ferries between the two. If you want to fly, the island does have an airport which is served by Loganair, with flights from the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Benbecula.
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
The colourful Welsh seaside town with a perfect castle that was never finished
The colourful Welsh seaside town with a perfect castle that was never finished This captivating seaside town has a blend of medieval, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture alongside the 'greatest castle never built.' Beautiful Beaumaris was an ancient borough, awarded its first charter in 1296. (Image: Portia Jones ) Perched along the treacherous Menai Strait, colourful Beaumaris is the historic hub of Anglesey. This captivating seaside town has a blend of medieval, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture alongside the 'greatest castle never built.' Beautiful Beaumaris was an ancient borough, awarded its first charter in 1296. Wander around, and you'll spot plenty of reminders of its past, from the impressive 13th-century castle to a courthouse that's been standing since 1614. Don't miss the Beaumaris Gaol or the Tudor Rose, a 14th-century timber-framed beauty and one of the oldest of its kind in Britain. And if you fancy a pint with a side of history, the Bulls Head Inn, built in 1472, is where General Thomas Mytton set up camp during the 1648 Siege of Beaumaris in the second English Civil War. While the town is packed with stories, there's still plenty to do here on an Anglesey holiday. Go crab fishing off the pier, take a wildlife-watching boat trip or hike along the blustery shoreline. Here's how to make the most of a trip to Beaumaris Explore the castle An aerial shot of the ancient Beaumaris castle (Image: iStock / Getty Images Plus ) Beaumaris Castle is a reminder of the ambition of English royalty seeking to subdue Wales. This commanding fortress, famous as "the greatest castle never built," was to be the crowning glory of King Edward's "Iron Ring" of mighty fortresses at Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, and Harlech. Article continues below Ruthless Edward I launched two military campaigns in Wales, in 1277 and 1282-83, aimed at defeating the Welsh princes and establishing English authority, and massive castles were a key part of the military plan. 'Beau Mareys,' meaning 'beautiful marsh,' located beside the Menai Strait, proved to be the perfect setting for a grand-scale fortress with near-perfect symmetry. Its defences were nothing short of formidable; four concentric rings encircled the stronghold, including a water-filled moat complete with its own dock, blending strength and strategic elegance. According to Cadw, a lack of money (show-off castles are quite pricey) and brewing trouble in Scotland meant that building work on the grand castle had petered out by the 1320s. The south gatehouse and the six great towers in the inner ward never reached their intended height. The Llanfaes gate was barely started before being abandoned. Today, this incomplete castle serves as a poignant reminder of Wales' tumultuous past, marked by bloody battles and Celtic defiance, all encapsulated within its imposing stone walls. Cadw now manages the site, and you can visit for just £33.60 for a family ticket. Perched along the treacherous Menai Strait, colourful Beaumaris is the historic hub of Anglesey. (Image: Portia Jones ) Go crabbing on Beaumaris Pier Nothing says 'family holiday in Wales' like crabbing off a historic pier while the wind whips around you. Beaumaris Pier was originally opened in 1846 and rebuilt in 1872, and is a favourite spot for crabbing with the kids. You can buy all your gear from the small pier Kiosk or the RNLI Lifeboat Station shop. Both locations offer crabbing nets, bait, and buckets to get you going. After crabbing, settle in on the green with fish and chips and watch out for greedy seagulls. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Go on a wildlife-watching boat trip You can spot seals along the rocky shoreline (Image: Portia Jones ) Seacoast Safaris depart from Beaumaris Pier and offer nature and sightseeing cruises to Puffin Island (or Ynys Seiriol in Welsh). This protected island is a bird sanctuary and a nesting site for many species of breeding seabirds, as well as home to a resident colony of Atlantic grey seals. Want a longer trip? Book an all-day Rib Ride boat trip and explore the entire coastline of Anglesey. With its spectacular 100-mile coastline, there's no better way to uncover its dramatic beauty than on a high-speed RIB ride, skimming past rugged headlands, remote beaches, and eerie sea caves. One of the most exhilarating parts of the trip is bouncing over the Menai Strait's most notorious stretch of water—the Swellies. As you pass Telford's magnificent Menai suspension bridge, you'll be entering a treacherous body of water with rapid tidal flows and a history of shipwrecks. You'll spot plenty of wildlife on a boat trip (Image: Portia Jones ) The tide here is wild, rushing in from both ends and colliding with full force over a seabed dotted with hidden rocks. The remains of shipwrecks are a stark reminder that not everyone has made it through unscathed. As you thread your way between whirlpools and racing currents, your trusty skipper will explain how, centuries ago, tall ships had to navigate this treacherous channel with nothing but sails and oars, hoping the tide wouldn't drag them onto the rocks. You'll also explore the wizz past other coastal landmarks like South Stack Lighthouse and Ynys Llanddwyn while spotting resident seals, dolphins, and seabirds. Hike to Penmon Point Beach One of the most popular beaches in Anglesey, Penmon Point Beach, is a craggy and historic part of the Anglesey coast. (Image: Portia Jones ) One of the most popular beaches in Anglesey, Penmon Point Beach, is a craggy and historic part of the Anglesey coast. From the beach, you have epic views of the nearby Puffin Island and the Trwyn Du Lighthouse, also known as Penmon Lighthouse, which was built in 1838 to mark the north entrance to the Menai Strait. One of the best ways to explore this area is to hike to Penmon on a circular trail. The All Trails app has a 7-mile loop trail near Beaumaris that you can follow. This is a beautiful and varied trail that takes in sweeping coastal views and historic sites as you make your way past the Church of St Cawrdaf, on the road to Trwyn Dy Lighthouse, along the coast to Castell Aberlleiniog, and back to the start past Llangoed. Eat at Bull's Head Inn The Grade II-listed Bull's Head Inn was named the best pub in Wales in 2024 (Image: David Powell ) The Grade II-listed Bull's Head Inn was named the best pub in Wales in 2024 and is renowned for its real ales and live music. Located at the heart of town on Castle Street, it dates back to the 15th century and retains all the character and charm it has acquired over the last 550 years. Its listed bar is decorated with an array of memorabilia, including antique weaponry and, reputedly, the town's original ducking stool. You can stop by for food – including breakfast, light bites, and dinner- or spend the night in its array of rooms. Their delicious, homemade food is freshly cooked to order, and the seasonal menu features pub classics. Typical dishes include a lamb burger, traditional fish and chips, and pan-fried chicken supreme. Stay at Castle Court Hotel This Free house pub with rooms is located in the centre of historic Beaumaris with commanding views of the Menai Straits and Beaumaris Castle. Article continues below Each room features a TV with satellite channels, a view, and tea and coffee-making facilities. They also have an en-suite bathroom with free toiletries and a shower. Book here
