A Victorian “Designer” Seaside Resort

Llandudno is the name.  The location is North Wales and the town is sandwich between two rocky headlands the jut out into the Irish Sea.

First the name  Llandudno.  roughly translated it means Llan – or piece of land and dudno – an adaption of the name Tudno…. or Saint Tudno who founded a christian outpost back in the 6th century.  More about St. Trudo tomorrow.

The location is rather special.  To the west there is the high headland (nearly 700ft) known as the Great Orme and to the east a lower headland known as Little Orme.  Between the two is the town of Llandudno.  It was, until Victorian times, a small town that relied upon the Copper Mines beneath the Great Orme for its economic survival.  The land was all part of a large estate owned by Lord Mostyn.

Between the two headland is a long sweeping beach. It was this outstanding feature that inspired a Liverpool based Architect to approach Lord Mostyn with the concept of a brand new stylish Seaside resort  to be built from scratch. His idea was to create a sea front Esplanade lined on one side by stylish Victorian Hotels and Villas.  He made his pitch to Lord Mostyn in 1847 who embraced the idea, recognising the growing demand from wealthy Industrialist and their employees from Liverpool, Manchester and Midlands for holiday destinations.

Between then and 1877 development was rapid, the new resort took shape.  The railway was also key to the towns future.  In 1848 a main line between Chester and Holyhead (for the Irish Ferries) was constructed and as the viability of Llandudno was recognised, a branch line direct to the town was completed in 1858.

This stylish seaside resort became a prime holiday venue.  It was stylish and pristine in all its Victorian Architectural grandeur, the sweeping bay between the two Ormes  made it unique….. and to add to the visitor offering, a very long Pier was built in 1877.

  Llandudno is as stylish today as when it was first built.  The Esplanade is still fronted by those same hotels and villas.  A walk along the wide traffic free esplanade and out along the pier, is like stepping back in time but still bang up to date and as grand as ever. As for the Pier, well a nod to todays fairground attractions have been modestly incorporated…. but is is still a Pier to promenade along and perhaps linger for a snooze in the sun.

As for the two Ormes.  Little Orme is a nature reserve. Great Orme has its own attraction.  A rather unique Tramway was built in 1902 to take visitors from the Town centre to the summit. Here you can explore where the first settles on the Orme once lived. Archaeologist have traced signs of human habitation from Stone Age and on thru the Bronze and Iron Age eras. Then of course there are the old Copper Mines to investigate.

It is here you may also encounter some wild Kashmiri Goats.  Now a small herd, all from two goats a gift from Queen Victoria to Lord Mostyn.

(Whilst they mainly graze Great Orme, in Covid Lockdown they did venture down into the town) 

As for Saint Tudno’s…. more about him tomorrow.

Where ever you are this Saturday, at home, in the garden or out exploring… as always….

Please Remember ….

Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other

16th September

(C) David Oakes 2023