Things to do

To the west of Llandudno you will find the Great Orme, which is a favourite place for walkers and bird watchers. It is a limestone headland that climbs 679ft above Llandudno and is home to the Great Orme Country Park. This park has geology, wildlife, archaeology and a landscape of such importance that much of it has been designated a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Heritage Coast. For more information see Great Orme Country Park

Within the Park you will find other fascinating things to see and do, including:

Llandudno Great Orme Tramway. The Great Orme Tramway first opened in 1902 and remains the only cable-hauled tramway still operating on British public roads. It is open 7 days a week from late March to late October. For further information see: www.greatormetramway.co.uk

Llandudno Cable Car. One of the most impressive ways to appreciate the beauty of Llandudno is from the air! Taking a trip on Britain’s longest passenger cable car is an absolute must whilst you are in Llandudno. Glide effortlessly to the summit of the Great Orme and take in the fabulous views of the beaches, the bay and the town. On a clear day you’ll even be able to see right across to the Snowdonia mountains! For more information see: Llandudno Cable Car

Great Orme Copper Mines. These fascinating Copper Mines were first uncovered in 1987 and are arguably one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent times. The mines date back to the Bronze Ages and provide an amazing insight into how people lived and worked in this area over 4,000 years ago. Tours are available. For more information see: www.greatormemines.info

More to do in Llandudno

Llandudno Ski & Snowboard Centre. Overlooking picturesque landscapes, this fabulous Ski Centre boasts the longest toboggan run in Britain as well as a PermaSnow ski slope. You can have great fun skiing, snowboarding, ride the cresta run, spin down the slope in sno-tubes, or even try your hand at alpine golf! There’s also a fully licensed Bar & Restaurant. For further details visit http://jnlllandudno.co.uk/

Venue Cymru Theatre and Conference Centre. Llandudno also houses North Wales’ premier entertainment and arts venue. Theatre events include ballet, opera, live music and comedy shows. They also organise art exhibitions and even have a range of shows and events especially for the kids! You can find out more at www.venuecymru.co.uk

Outdoor sports & activities

On dry land!

The region has a number of GOLF COURSES and many are within easy driving distance of Buile Hill. You’ll find courses at: North Wales Golf Club, Llandudno (0.6 mile, 2 mins); also Llandudno Golf Club (2 miles, 5 mins); Rhos on Sea Golf Club (3.5 miles, 11 mins); Conwy Golf Club (7.5 miles, 16 mins); Rhyl Golf Club (19 miles, 40 mins); Betws y Coed Golf Club (19.5 miles, 35 mins) Prestatyn Golf Club (22.5 miles, 45 mins) and Caernarfon Golf Club (31 miles, 46 mins).

Of course, North Wales is famous for its CASTLES and there are several fine examples that are well worth a visit! Just a ten minute drive from Buile Hill you’ll find Conwy Castle. A little further afield, but still within a comfortable drive, are Beaumaris Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Bodelwyddan Castle, Rhuddlan Castle, Dolbadarn Castle, Dolwyddelan Castle, Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle. You can find more information on these castles by clicking here.

North Wales also has its fair share of elegant COUNTRY HOMES and beautiful GARDENS. Bodnant Garden is situated in the Conwy Valley and is only a 20 minute drive from Buile Hill. Bodnant Garden is open every day from mid-February to mid-November and is free for members of the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. Happy couples can make their marriage vows at Bodnant Garden as it’s also licensed for Civil Ceremonies.

Plas-yn-Rhiw, near Pwllheli,  is a small 16th century manor house surrounded by extensive gardens. The views from its gardens across Cardigan Bay are among the most spectacular in Britain. The house has been restored by the National Trust to the way it would have been during the 30s. The original garden is filled with rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias, but this has been extended by the National Trust to include 150 acres of surrounding woodland, including a snowdrop wood.

Of course, no trip to North Wales would be complete without a visit to Portmeirion, home of the iconic ‘Prisoner’ television series.

In the water!

There’s a fantastic array of exhilarating things to do in the waters of North Wales, be it in the sea or in the glorious lakes and rivers! Here’s just a few suggestions:

Plas Menai Watersports Centre is a situated on the Menai Straits, between the North Wales mainland and the isle of Anglesey. The waters of the Menai Straits are ideal for windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, dinghy sailing, cruising and powerboating – and the staff at Plas Menai are the ideal people to teach you how to have SAFE fun in these waters! Unless you are an experienced sailor or surfer, it’s advisable to take to this section of water with the experts, as the Menai Strait has some of the most powerful (and dangerous) currents anywhere around the coast of the UK!

SBS Rib Charters is a family owned business providing a variety of water based activities around Anglesey. SBS specialise in wreck diving trips just off the coast of Anglesey, but they also offer trips to more open and scenic reefs and other picturesque underwater spots nearby. SBS is run by Aubrey and Sue Diggle, Aubrey is an ex RNLI senior helmsman, so he knows the area intimately and you know you’ll always be in the very best hands.

The National White Water Centre in Bala, North Wales was the first commercial white water rafting operation to be established in the UK and it has since grown to become one of the largest. They operate on the Tryweryn, which is a dam released river, so water is often flowing when the river would otherwise be dry, thus producing a unique year round white water venue.

Here’s a list of some more North Wales Tourist Attractions, which we haven’t featured above:

• Bala Lake Railway, Bala, Gwynedd 01678 540666
• Beddgelert Copper Mine, Beddgelert, Caernarfon
• Betws y Coed, Snowdonia Mountain Resort
• Bodafon Farm Park & North Wales Bird Trust
• Bodafon Farm Park, Bodafon Road, Llandudno 01492 549060
• Conwy RSPB Reserve, Conwy 01492 584091
• Conwy Visitors Centre (Interviron) Ltd, Rose Hill Street, Conwy 01492 596288
• Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay
• Electric Mountain, Llanberis, Snowdonia 01286 870636
• Ffestiniog Railway Company, Harbour Station, Porthmadog 01766 516000
• Glasfryn Parc (go karts, quad bikes & 10 pin bowling), Pwllheli 01766 810202
• Greenwood Forest Park, Y Felinheli 01248 670074
• Homefront Experience, 1 New Street, Llandudno 01492 871032
• Llanberis Lake Railway, Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, Caernarfon 01286 870549
• Llandudno Pier , North Parade, Llandudno
• Llandudno Superbowl, Mostyn Champneys Retail Park, Llandudno 01492 871349
• Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog 01766 830306
• Marquess of Anglesey’s Column, Column Cott, Parc Twr, Llanfairpwllgwygyllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndobwllllantysiliogogogoch
• Olde Victorian Picture House Photographers, The The Summit Complex, Great Orme Country Park, Llandudno
• Oriel Mostyn Gallery, 12 Vaughan Street, Llandudno 01492 879201
• Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Anglesey (longest place name in Great Britain) Tourist Information Centre 01248 713177
• Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Snowdonia 0870 4580033
• Tree Top Adventure High Ropes Course, Betwys y Coed 01690 710914
• Trefriw Woollen Mills, Trefriw 01492 640462
• Welsh Mountain Zoo, Old Highway, Colwyn Bay 01492 532938
• Wylfa Power Station, Visitor Centre, Cemaes Bay 01407 711400