Llandudno and the Conwy Valley

Llandudno is Wales’ largest seaside resort and sits on the Creuddyn peninsula, which extends out into the Irish Sea. A sand and shingle beach stretches for two miles along the North Shore, fronting many of Llandudno’s hotels, including the St George’s Hotel. Llandudno is a busy town and has a large choice of hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and cafés to suit all budgets.

If you only have a limited amount of time before or after the conference, a visit to the Great Orme should be at the top of your list. It is host to a Bronze Age copper mine, many species of sea bird, and the odd Kashmiri goat (descended from a herd gifted to Lord Mostyn by Queen Victoria). You can take the Great Orme Tramway or hop on the Llandudno Cable Car (operates from April to October) to the summit, if you do not fancy the walk.

In the immediate vicinity is the walled town of Conwy, complete with medieval castle. Conwy is visible from the West Shore and easily accessible by public transport or taxi. Bodnant Gardens, 80 acres of managed gardens in the Carneddau mountains, is accessible by bus. We will be organizing excursions to Conwy and Bodnant Gardens on the Monday afternoon of the conference, as well as a tour around the Orme in a vintage bus. See the social events section.

If you have a little more time, and want to explore Snowdonia and the surrounding area, then you can venture deeper into the Conwy Valley to visit Betws-y-Coed and take the Sherpa bus into the mountains. You could always try your hand at surfing at Surf Snowdonia on the journey back. We are within an hour of Chester (Caer), if you want to do some shopping amidst 2000 years of history.