Experience a moment of exhilaration and tranquility and take in some stunning aerial views of what Llandudno, a Victorian Seaside Resort, has to offer as you glide from the quaint coastal town up to the Great Orme Summit.
The Llandudno cable cars have been running every year since June 1969 and are renowned for being the most comprehensive passenger cable car system in Britain. This inimitable experience continues to be one of the town’s most popular tourist attractions, as well as the Great Orme Tramway which, opened in 1902 and is now ‘Britain’s only surviving cable street tramway, and one of three in the world.’
The cable car’s highest point from the valley floor is over 80 feet, a perfect opportunity to capture a panoramic snapshot. The four-seater cars are carried on an endless steel cable over two miles long and weighing around 17 tons. The cable cars are driven by an electric motor and are now owned by Kinetics Industrial Ltd. The cable cars’ structure was completely overhauled in 2006 to meet the rigorous Health and Safety regulations.
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views at 679 feet above sea level of the Little Orme, the Conwy Estuary, the Irish sea, and on a clear day; you may even spot the Isle of Man some sixty miles North West. If you look down, you will see a picturesque landscape garden, also known as Happy Valley. The summer is the best time to appreciate an array of harmonious colours that create the perfect backdrop. The cable cars themselves are decorative, and their bright primary colours enhance the beautiful welsh coastline.
Happy Valley also includes a dry ski slope and a snowboarding centre, brilliant for all skill levels; As well as a toboggan run which is, fun for all the family, all visible from the cable cars. So why not catch a glimpse of the action? Better still, try it yourself. Moreover, the well-known summit is just over a mile away, and the leisurely journey takes approximately nine minutes.
The price for an adult return ticket is currently around £11.00, or for a single, it costs £10.50. The price for a family return ticket is £33.00 or £31.00 for a single. This price is based on an average family size of two adults and two children. However, due to health and safety restrictions, Llandudno cable cars do not operate when it is windy.
So for opening times and all other inquiries, please contact 01492877205. They have no website of their own.
It is a CASH ONLY operation, they do not accept card payments, so forget contactless payments! Be sure to note this as you don’t want to have to plod down the hill to get some cash.
The cable cars are dog friendly, although, it has been noted that ‘some dogs may not enjoy the experience.’
The operators do allow you to take a buggy on board, so long as it folds.
The individual cable cars are not wiped down in between riders, so you might want to bring your own wipes or hand gel. Although it has to be said there is a lot of fresh air circulation involved generally.
To access the lower cable car station, head towards the lower slopes of Happy Valley, and the entrance is reached by paths around either side of the building.
Some images – © Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales
Unfortunately, the Llandudno Cable Cars cannot operate on windy days, so please telephone for opening times and conditions on 01492 877205.
