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UNITED KINGDOM - Wales
Location - Western Europe; Capital - Wales - Cardiff; Population - Wales - 3 million; Currency - Pound Sterling MORE UK - WALES
After a trip to Devon I managed to squeeze in one more 'staycation' before my furlough ended, so i returned home to north Wales to stake out Llandudno (again), Conwy (again) and Wrexham - July 2020.
20 Pounds Sterling
Opposite Llandudno train station is Alice in Wonderland! She's part of the Alice Town Trails in the resort town - Llandudno
The main focus of Llandudno is on the North Shore's promenade, pictured here framed by the rocky peninsula known as the Great Orme
The Great Orme rises above The Parade - Llandudno
It's a popular Victoria-era resort, which still gets its fair share of holidaymakers - Llandudno
Llandudno's North Shore is fronted by an abundance of hotels and bed & breakfasts - Llandudno
Llandudno pier, built in 1878, is the longest in Wales at 699m - Llandudno
Llandudno pier, built in 1878, is the longest in Wales at 699m - Llandudno
Continuing the Alice Town Trails, this must be the Mad Hatter sitting on the Promenade - Llandudno
Looking across Llandudno, away from the North Shore towards West Shore and Conwy
West Shore is a wide expanse of beach opposite Conwy - Llandudno
Keep walking along West Shore towards Deganwy and take in the Great Orme behind - Llandudno
Walk or drive along Marine Drive, which forms a circuit around the base of the Great Orme, taking in views of West Shore and Deganwy (pictured) - Llandudno
You can also strain the eyes for a long distance peek at Conwy Castle - Llandudno
Looking down from the slopes of the Great Orme on the West Shore side. It can be windy up there! Llandudno
Kashmiri goats have been roaming the headland since the 19th century. I also saw a couple wandering the streets - Llandudno
Across the Irish Sea to the north Wales coast and Anglesey - Llandudno
The coast west of Conwy at Dwygyfylchi and Penmaenmawr - Llandudno
When COVID is a distant memory, the comfortable way of accessing the Great Orme is via the seasonal Great Orme Tramway, and when weather allows there's also the Cable Car - Llandudno
I took the manual way, panting up the steep road for great views of the North Shore - Llandudno
The sweeping arc of the North Shore - Llandudno
There's a seasonal summit complex at the top of the Great Orme housing a cafe, bar and gift shop - Llandudno
See the rolling hills rise above the coastline - Llandudno
On the north slope is St Tudno's Church, after which the town is named - Llandudno
The Great Orme Ancient Mines were Bronze Age copper mines dating back 4,000 years - Llandudno
Also on the headland is the Great Orme Cromlech, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber - Llandudno
The Little Orme, at the end of the North Shore, comes into view - Llandudno
The pier, North Shore and the Little Orme, as seen from the Great Orme - Llandudno
Walking down into town via Happy Valley Botanical Gardens - Llandudno
The Victorian frontage of the North Shore - Llandudno
See the green countryside surrounding Llandudno
The Great Orme (pictured) and Little Orme are limestone headlands at either side of Llandudno Bay, separated by the North Shore - Llandudno
The scary-looking Queen of Hearts I presume? She's part of the Alice Town Trails in Llandudno
A soft sun shines on the North Shore and the promenade - Llandudno
I'd guess it was a brisk 40min walk from the Great Orme to the base of the Little Orme - Llandudno
Wind turbines of the Gwynt-y-Mor offshore wind farm - Llandudno
Next up was a trek up the Little Orme, at the far end of the North Shore - Llandudno
More great panoramas, this time from the peak of the Little Orme looking across to the Great Orme - Llandudno
The eastern view from the Little Orme takes in Rhos-on-Sea and further along the coast, Prestatyn and Rhyl in the distance - Llandudno
More rolling hills and greenery surrounding Llandudno
Sailing boats on the Irish Sea - Llandudno
Unknown to me until 2018 there's a seal colony at Angel Bay at the eastern base of the Little Orme. I didn't have my good camera but you can see two seals on the shore in the middle , another two just in the sea to their right, two more near the big rock at the bottom and several at the top of the beach - Llandudno
I came back a few months later and got these photos, three on the rocks and one in the water - Llandudno
There was a playful battle as to who got to lie on the rocks - Llandudno
My Dad takes in the north Wales coast from the Little Orme - Llandudno
Bodysgallen Hall is a manor house and now a hotel/spa mainly dating to the 17th century - Llandudno
It's a nice long walk from Llandudno, along West Shore to Conwy
Across the bay near Conwy - Llandudno
Keep walking along West Shore to the mouth of the River Conwy - Llandudno
After leaving Llandudno the first town to pass is Deganwy, from where Conwy's marina is directly opposite
There's a marina and riverside hotel & spa in Deganwy
The outskirts of Conwy as seen from Deganwy
The sun sets on Conwy, as seen from Deganwy
A short walk past Deganwy, and Conwy Castle comes into view - Conwy
Conwy Castle from across the Conwy River near Deganwy - Conwy
Conwy Castle dominates the entrance to Conwy
Continuing past the bridge to Conwy, and along the rivershore towards RSPB Conwy - Conwy
RSPB Conwy is a wetland reserve on the outskirts of Llandudno Junction, on the opposite side of the river from Conwy
Further upriver is the town of Glan Conwy
I crossed the bridge and passed a looming Conwy Castle - Conwy
The riverside is a lively one on a warm summer's day - Conwy
Guessing these are lobster baskets sitting on the quay - Conwy
The quayside is a small area overlooking the Conwy estuary, complete with a pub and a couple of ice-cream and chip-shop stalls - Conwy
The red building is the Smallest House in Great Britain, measuring only 1.8m wide and 3.05m high. Cosy! Conwy
The town walls, like the castle, are from the 13th century - Conwy
A great view of Conwy Castle and the town, with the Conwy River behind - Conwy
Climb the steps of the town walls for some excellent views - Conwy
Conwy River as seen from the town walls, with Deganwy across the water - Conwy
The buildings of the quay continue up to the formidable old town walls - Conwy
A more peaceful side of the castle, on the opposite bank of the River Gyffin - Conwy
The River Gyffin meets the Conwy estuary - Conwy
Behind the castle is the 19th century Conwy Suspension Bridge, built by Thomas Telford - Conwy
13th century Conwy Castle forms part of English King Edward I's iron ring, his idea being to suppress the Welsh
Porth Uchaf, or Upper Gate, is one of the old town entrances - Conwy
The link from the quay to the High Street is through Porth Isaf, or Lower Gate - Conwy
The top of the High Street opens into Lancaster Square - Conwy
In the town centre is Aberconwy House, a 15th century merchant house. Also in town is Plas Mawr, a 16th century townhouse - Conwy
The attractive riverside trail (at least at the beginning) leads to the marina - Conwy
Out of picture is the perfectly situated The Mulberry, a pub-restaurant with lots of outdoor seating - Conwy
The modern 500 berth marina - Conwy
There's a small beach with a jetty next to the marina, opposite Deganwy - Conwy
Lovely scenery on the Conwy estuary - Conwy
Kids playing on the estuary beach, with sailing boats passing in front of the Great Orme - Conwy
Crossing the bridge from Deganwy to Conwy
The river is almost a mirror - Conwy
Sunset over the River Conwy and the Great Orme in the distance, middle right - Conwy
It's a beautiful setting - Conwy
Maybe too many river sunset photos, but hey I couldn't choose! Conwy
A great walk is up Conwy Mountain, called Mynydd y Dref in Welsh - Conwy
It's relatively quick and easy, being only 244m high, but with brilliant panoramic views, including the castle - Conwy
Conwy Castle forms the backdrop to grazing horses - Conwy
In the opther direction is the Great Orme and the Conwy estuary - Conwy
In the foereground is Conwy marina, with Deganwy across the water - Conwy
Llandudno, the West Shore and the River Conwy as it heads into the Irish Sea - Conwy
All is calm on the River Conwy - Conwy
The Groes Inn, 4km from Conwy, was the first licensed house in Wales, in 1573
Looking at the map I think the town across the Conwy River from the Groes Inn is Llansanffraid, aka Glan Conwy - Conwy
Subway murals on my way to Llandudno Junction bus station - Llandudno Junction
Website and content Copyright © 2008-2020 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.
LINKS
www.visitwales.com - Wales tourist board
www.northwales.co.uk - guide to north Wales
www.eryri-npa.gov.uk - Snowdonia National Park
www.snowdonrailway.co.uk - take a train up Mt Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain
www.snowdon.com - more info on Snowdon
www.visitmidwales.co.uk - guide to mid Wales
www.tourism.powys.gov.uk - another site focused on mid Wales
www.southernwales.com - guide to south Wales
www.visitbritain.com - Britain's official tourism website
www.thetrainline.com - train information across Britain
www.traveline.cymru - Wales public transport journey planner
www.nationalexpress.com - National Express coaches cover Britain
I am not responsible for the content of external websites.