Britain is a country that’s always looked sea-wards. From its early days as a trading nation to the present day, the sea has played a key part in the country’s history. And that means there are plenty of seaside towns to choose from. There’s Cornwall, with its authentic but rather sad, faded past. There’s Northumberland, with its restored or recreated Victorian and Edwardian townscapes. And there’s everywhere in between, with its numerous amusements, fish-and-chip shops, pleasure beaches, and tacky holiday chalets. But one place is different from all the rest.
Llandudno is a seaside town with no tragic past. It’s not a town that has suffered a series of disasters or been battered by the depredations of time. And it’s not a town that’s been tidied up or restored after some kind of cultural or economic catastrophe. What makes Llandudno so different, so very different, is that it’s a planned town, with a deliberate, coherent town plan designed from scratch by its founders in the mid-19th century. A planned town with a deliberate, coherent approach to the seaside resort experience. This plan has been retained and preserved through the years, so that visitors today experience a genuine Victorian seaside resort, unspoiled by the ravages of time. For the Best Hotel in Llandudno, visit //stgeorgeswales.co.uk
Most seaside towns have a long history, from Viking times to the present day, which explains why they look and feel like they’ve seen better days. Llandudno doesn’t. It’s a completely Victorian creation, an artificial construct designed to be a pleasure resort for middle-class tourist.
Llandudno is different. It’s an invitation to come and enjoy yourself.