Back
Top 5 Best Things to do in Llandudno for Families
North Wales is famous for its seaside towns and they don’t come much better than Llandudno. This charming Victorian seaside resort is the perfect holiday destination for families with kids of all ages thanks to its wealth of attractions and activities. However, with so much to see and do, choosing how to spend your time away can be quite a challenge.
That’s where the experts at Pario Holiday Parks come in. We’ve put together a list of what we consider to be the top 5 best things to do in Llandudno for families based on our first hand experience. From traditional seaside fun and mountain adventures, to chocolate tasting and magical journeys through Wonderland, Llandudno has something to keep children and adults entertained throughout their time away.
Let’s start off with an attraction which has been at the very forefront of the town since 1877…
1. Llandudno Pier
Every great seaside town has to have a pier and Llandudno’s is one of the best in the country. Opened in 1877, this 2,295 foot long pier stretches out into the Irish sea and has everything you would ever expect a great Victorian pier to have in addition to a number of unique extras as the town strives to adapt to the demands of the modern holiday maker.
For families, one of the biggest attractions is the selection of funfair rides, including children’s rides and the impressive Ferris wheel, which provides fantastic views back towards Llandudno and the Great Orme. There are also two amusement arcades packed with games, including traditional 2p pushers, grabbers and retro video games.
The pier is also home to an eclectic collection of shops and stalls, making it fun to wander along even when you’re not riding the attractions. One particularly quirky stop is Mr Minifigure, where you can browse LEGO-compatible figures designed to resemble a whole host of famous characters and personalities. It is the sort of unusual shop that kids (and big kids) will love exploring as they go in search of their favourite movie and TV show characters. Homer Simpson, Darth Vader, Captain Kirk and Elvis are just a few of the celebrities you can expect to see faithfully recreated in Lego.
And, of course, no family trip to a traditional British seaside pier would be complete without something tasty to eat. You’ll find plenty of choices, from fish & chips and burgers to ice cream, doughnuts, and classic sticks of seaside rock. Llandudno really is a haven for foodies, with The Great British Cheese Company, The Cheshire Pie Company and Aber Falls Distillery being just a few of the other local companies who have stalls along the pier.
2. The Great Orme
Dominating the Llandudno skyline, the Great Orme is another attraction that deserves a place on our list of the best things to do in Llandudno for families. Rather than simply driving or walking to the summit, families can turn the journey itself into part of the adventure, something which will no doubt be a relief to most children.
One of the most memorable ways of reaching the summit is the Great Orme Tramway. This historic cable-operated street tramway is Britain’s only remaining example of its kind and has been carrying passengers up the top of the Great Orme since the early 1900s.
Alternatively, families can take to the skies on the Great Orme Cable Car, travelling from Happy Valley towards the summit while enjoying spectacular views over Llandudno Bay, the North Wales coastline and surrounding countryside.
Once you reach the summit, there’s plenty to explore before heading back down. The visitor centre provides a convenient place to stop for light bites and refreshments, while the quirky UFO section is sure to capture the imagination of children and adults with a mind for the paranormal. It explores some of the unexplained sightings and strange stories associated with the Great Orme over the years, adding an unusual twist to an otherwise spectacular mountain-top visit.
3. Llandudno Snowsports Centre
If your children have energy to burn, make your way up the Great Orme towards the Llandudno Snowsports Centre. Despite being in a seaside resort, this attraction gives families the opportunity to experience the excitement of winter sports at any time of the year.
The artificial ski slope provides opportunities for children and beginners to learn how to ski or snowboard, while those looking for something a little less serious can enjoy the thrill of sliding down the slope on a sno-tube.
The toboggan run is another major highlight and is particularly appealing to children who simply want to enjoy the exhilaration of racing downhill on a 575 metre long circuit, making it the longest in Britain. Families can also challenge one another on the nine-hole crazy golf course, making it possible to spend an entire day here without ever running out of things to do.
You don’t even need to move off site for refreshments, with the Alpine Lodge Bar & Cafe offering a full menu of light bites, sweet treats and beverages at a reasonable price.
4. Llandudno Chocolate Experience
If there is one thing that is almost guaranteed to appeal to children and adults alike, it is chocolate. That’s why the Llandudno Chocolate Experience earns its place in our guide to the best things to do in Llandudno for families.
This fascinating attraction takes visitors on a journey through the history of chocolate, covering around 5,000 years and exploring nine distinct eras. Rather than simply walking around as you would at a traditional museum, families travel through a series of themed environments, including a Mayan hut, Aztec temple, pirate ship and Victorian street.
The best part is that you get to sample chocolate along the way. Five tasting opportunities are incorporated into the experience, allowing visitors to discover how chocolate has changed throughout history while enjoying a few treats for themselves. There are also activities aimed at children, and visitors may be able to see artisan chocolate production taking place through the viewing window.
Once your tour has been completed, you then have the option to choose from a wide variety of chocolates at Maisie’s Chocolate Shop where you’ll find bars of chocolate, mouth watering truffles, rich hot chocolates and plenty of other sweet delights to take back to your North Wales holiday home. This combination of education, history and indulgence all under one roof makes the Llandudno Chocolate Experience the perfect family attraction in all weather conditions.
5. Alice in Wonderland Town Trail
For our final recommendation, families can step into the pages of one of Britain’s best-loved children’s stories with the Alice in Wonderland Town Trail.
Llandudno has a fascinating connection with Alice Liddell, the real-life girl who is widely believed to have been the inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s novel. The town celebrates this connection with a self-guided trail featuring 34 points of interest.
Following a map around Llandudno, families can discover statues, sculptures, plaques and other sights connected to the story. You might encounter the famous White Rabbit, a wooden White Rabbit sculpture complete with waistcoat and pocket watch, the Cheshire Cat, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and plenty of other famous characters including Alice herself.
This whimsical trail takes you through various different parts of Llandudno, including the town centre, promenade and Haulfre Gardens, providing a fun way to learn more about the area and discover new Llandudno family attractions that you may want to add to your Llandudno holiday itinerary. We’d therefore recommend completing this route near the start of your Llandudno holiday and allowing up to three hours to complete the route, with the challenge of finding the sights being enough to keep the children entertained throughout the walk.
Enjoy a Family Holiday in North Wales
With so many fantastic attractions packed into and around this famous seaside resort, it is easy to see why Llandudno is such a popular destination for family holidays in North Wales. Whether your children love fairground rides, chocolate, outdoor adventures or learning more about characters from their favourite stories, there are plenty of ways to keep all members of the family entertained in Llandudno.
Those who are looking to book a family holiday in North Wales need look no further than our Marine Holiday Park which is located just a short drive away from Llandudno. With a plethora of on-site facilities including a heated indoor swimming pool, traditional seaside amusement arcades, children’s play areas, evening entertainment and a dedicated kids club, you’ll have everything you need to keep the children happy throughout your getaway.