26th May 2010 – 3rd day of roadtrip
After stepping out of Bodnant Garden which closes at 5pm, we still had many sunlight hours so I figured we should stop by at the Great Orme, located in the seaside town of Llandudno. Now what is the Great Orme? Well as far as I can tell it is a peculiar piece of land that has been designated as a “Site of Special Specific Scientific Interest”, or SSSI. More unfamiliar terms? Hoping to understand more, we headed out to the Great Orme.
The Great Orme has a number of attractions, including a Bronze Age copper mine, a visitor centre, artificial ski slope and a cable car that takes you up to the summit. Anyway all attractions have closed when we reached there about 7 we chose to take the Great Orme Marine Drive instead. It is a toll road that circles the Great Orme and it also leads you to the summit. Do remember to drive carefully to the summit as there are 2 180 degrees turns and you have to be dead slow to take both turns especially if you are in the inner lane.
The scenery is good and the steep slopes of the Great Orme seemed to be a good rock climbing surface as we saw numerous rock climbers all along the road. As the sun begins to set and the wind chill worsens, we decide to drive down from the summit and back to Plas Coch Guesthouse to get ready to hike Snowdon tomorrow.
Globenomads review ratings
The Great Orme Marine Drive: 4/5
Great views and the toll is only £2.50 which includes the parking fees at the summit car park, I can say no more. Do remember to display your toll ticket at the summit car park.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
It’s a peculiar shape, don’t you think so?
The toll booth and entrance to the Marine Drive. Contrary to what Lonely Planet had suggested that the booth may be unmanned after 7pm, we paid our toll at 7.15pm.
The summit car park.
Messages were placed using stones.
You can play mini golf at the summit for £2.50.
Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm seen from the Great Orme
Church of Saint Tudno
Llandudno Pier with the wind farm in the distance
It’s May and it may look bright and sunny but the wind chill is terrible.
Llandudno seems like a charming sea side resort to me but my wife thinks the place is too commercialized. This is the seafront and the row of hotels stretches as far as you can see.
Llandudno and the Great Orme
26th May 2010 – 3rd day of roadtrip
After stepping out of Bodnant Garden which closes at 5pm, we still had many sunlight hours so I figured we should stop by at the Great Orme, located in the seaside town of Llandudno. Now what is the Great Orme? Well as far as I can tell it is a peculiar piece of land that has been designated as a “Site of Special Specific Scientific Interest”, or SSSI. More unfamiliar terms? Hoping to understand more, we headed out to the Great Orme.
The Great Orme has a number of attractions, including a Bronze Age copper mine, a visitor centre, artificial ski slope and a cable car that takes you up to the summit. Anyway all attractions have closed when we reached there about 7 we chose to take the Great Orme Marine Drive instead. It is a toll road that circles the Great Orme and it also leads you to the summit. Do remember to drive carefully to the summit as there are 2 180 degrees turns and you have to be dead slow to take both turns especially if you are in the inner lane.
The scenery is good and the steep slopes of the Great Orme seemed to be a good rock climbing surface as we saw numerous rock climbers all along the road. As the sun begins to set and the wind chill worsens, we decide to drive down from the summit and back to Plas Coch Guesthouse to get ready to hike Snowdon tomorrow.
Globenomads review ratings
It’s a peculiar shape, don’t you think so?


The toll booth and entrance to the Marine Drive. Contrary to what Lonely Planet had suggested that the booth may be unmanned after 7pm, we paid our toll at 7.15pm.

The summit car park.


Messages were placed using stones.


You can play mini golf at the summit for £2.50.





Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm seen from the Great Orme

Church of Saint Tudno

Llandudno Pier with the wind farm in the distance

It’s May and it may look bright and sunny but the wind chill is terrible.



Llandudno seems like a charming sea side resort to me but my wife thinks the place is too commercialized. This is the seafront and the row of hotels stretches as far as you can see.

The Great Orme Marine Drive: 4/5
Great views and the toll is only £2.50 which includes the parking fees at the summit car park, I can say no more. Do remember to display your toll ticket at the summit car park.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
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