Llandudno Pier runs 700 metres out into Llandudno Bay from the North Parade end of the promenade, and no other pier in Wales is longer. It is a Victorian iron pier with ornamental railings, a curved entrance and an open deck, and it won the National Piers Society's Pier of the Year award in 2005. Walking out, you look across the bay to the Great Orme, and on a clear day to the Snowdonia mountains behind the town. Arcades, small shops and food stalls line the way, and there is a cafe at the far end. Entry is free.
A Victorian pier on the North Shore
Llandudno Pier stands at the northern end of the promenade, at the foot of the Great Orme, and belongs to the town's history as a Victorian holiday resort. The structure is made of iron and was designed by Charles Henry Driver. Its Indian Gothic style gives it a distinctive look, with a curved entrance, ornamental railings and archways.
A first, shorter pier was built in 1858 and was destroyed. The present pier replaced it in the late 1870s, with its first entrance on Happy Valley Road. In 1884 a major extension ran landwards along the side of the Grand Hotel. It created a second entrance at the North Parade end of the promenade, with a pier pavilion theatre, and it lengthened the structure considerably.
The pier won the National Piers Society's Pier of the Year award in 2005. The deck has since been renovated and is well maintained.
Walking out over the water
The walk is the main reason to come. From the deck you look back along the promenade to the town and across the bay to the Great Orme. On a clear day the mountains of Snowdonia rise behind the rooftops. Benches are spaced along the pier, so the walk can be as slow as you like.
Photographers will find plenty to work with. From the promenade, the Victorian ironwork makes a strong foreground. From the deck, you can shoot back towards the promenade and the town's skyline. Archways, ornate details and decorative railings reward a closer look.
Evenings are popular too, when the sea takes on gold tones at sunset and the hills on the horizon darken.
Arcades, shops and food on the deck
Two amusement arcades stand on the pier, along with funfair rides. There is a Ferris wheel, teacups and slides for younger children, and a puppet show sometimes plays near the pier. The Punch and Judy tradition is also tied to the promenade, where Queen Victoria is said to have watched a show.
The small shops are varied. You will find stone and shell stores, toy shops, an old bookshop, a Lego shop, and stalls selling old CDs and prints. Some sell standard seaside souvenirs, so browse before buying. Pets On The Pier, a gazebo stall halfway along, sells toys and treats for dogs.
Food stalls and takeaways sell fish and chips, ice cream, soft serve, doughnuts and candyfloss. At the far end, the Pier Head Cafe serves coffee and cake. A bar there also hosts live music, and you can look out to sea from the cafe.
Fishing and crabbing
A fishing platform at the end of the pier is a good spot for anglers. Mackerel, pollock and dogfish are the usual catches. Crabbing is popular with children, and visitors have been seen catching plenty. The pier is busy in peak season, so fishing is easier at quieter times.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee for Llandudno Pier?
No. Admission to the pier is free. You pay only for rides, arcades, food and anything you buy in the shops.
How long is Llandudno Pier?
It extends about 700 metres into the sea and is the longest pier in Wales. A late 19th century extension also runs landwards alongside the Grand Hotel.
How long do you need at Llandudno Pier?
One hour covers a walk to the end and back. Allow two to three hours if you want time in the arcades and shops, a stop at the cafe or a meal.
Are dogs allowed on Llandudno Pier?
Yes, dogs on a lead are welcome. A stall halfway along the pier sells dog toys and treats.
Is parking available near Llandudno Pier?
Parking is limited. Paid roadside parking is available on nearby streets, and you can pay by app or at a machine.
Is Llandudno Pier wheelchair accessible?
The pier has a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom and parking area.
