Deganwy to Llandudno DEGANWY to LLANDUDNO AROUND the GREAT ORME
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Weatherman Walking Deganwy to Llandudno DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME REST AND BE THANKFUL HAPPY VALLEY ST TUDNO’S PARK HORNBY 6 SHIPWRECK 8 5 7 COAST ARTILLERY SCHOOL 4 PIER ENTRANCE 9 WEST SHORE SEAFRONT 3 1 Points of interest Start DEGANWY THE VARDRE SIGNAL BOX 1 2 Finish Route The Weatherman Walking maps are intended as a guide The BBC takes no responsibility for any accident or injury Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf to help you walk the route. We recommend using an that may occur while following the route. Always wear of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2009. OS map of the area in conjunction with this guide. appropriate clothing and footwear and check weather All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number APPROXIMATE DISTANCE: Routes and conditions may have changed since this conditions before heading out. 100019855. guide was written. 7 MILES PIER ENTRANCE For this walk we’ve included OS grid references should you wish to use them. WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 2 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME This walk follows the Wales Coast Path from the shore at the western end of Deganwy; through West Shore, around the Great Orme, and drops down into the beautiful seaside town of Llandudno. It’s a distance of about 7 miles depending on where you finish and what you stop to see along the way. From West Shore to Llandudno, around the Great Orme, Great Orme is wheelchair and pushchair-friendly. Start: Distance: Parking: Travel information: Further information: Deganwy Approx. 7 miles There is public parking at Deganwy, There are regular buses between Visit Wales Coast Path website for more Station Road (with charge) and a number Deganwy Station and Llandudno Pier. information and path diversions Starting Ref: Grade: of car parks and meter parking in Check local timetables or www. www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/plan-your-visit SH 77855 79121 Easy Llandudno (with charge). arrivabus.co.uk/ for details. Walk time: 3 hours WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 3 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Directions Exit the car park at the far western end, and then it’s a Conwy Castle short walk across the railway lines and onto the path which runs next to the shoreline. There are public toilets next to the railway line and an old signal box. Signal box DEGANWY In front of Deganwy signal box (SH 77787 79121) SIGNAL BOX We’re starting this walk on the waterfront over-looking the estuary where the River Conwy 1 flows into Conwy Bay and the Irish Sea. Across the water here, you can see Conwy with its impressive 13th-century castle, built by Edward 1. Deganwy became a popular destination in Victorian times with the expansion of railways Deganwy and holidays. The small town was the gateway to the Vale of Conwy, one of north Wales’ most popular destinations. WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 4 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Directions Head north-west along Marine Crescent, and the path The Vardre will become pedestrianised after a few hundred yards. Pass the beachfront shelter, which is a restored version of the original Edwardian shelter, built in 1904. You will be sandwiched between the sea and the railway line and overlooked by a large hill called the Vardre. THE VARDRE The Vardre (SH 78220 79450) This rocky hill was the site of a number of both English and Welsh castles. The earliest king 2 known to have had a castle there was Maelgwn Gwynedd, one of the most powerful Kings of Britain in the 6th-century. The visible ruins on the site today are those of the great castle and surroundings, built by Henry III in 1245 to 1250, that was beleaguered for seven years before being destroyed by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1263. Beach shelterTHE VARDRE The castle was excavated in 1961 to 1966, when evidence was found of a prehistoric style fortress on the western peak, along with Roman remains. WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 5 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Directions A short distance on, there is a high hedge with signs Dunes near West Shore warning of the dangers of flying golf balls from the North Wales Golf Course to the right. Passing the golf course, the route cuts through dunes, which in places have taken over the path before you arrive at West Shore. There is car parking, refreshments, and a miniature railway operated by the North Wales Model Engineering Society. Continue Dunes near West Shore along the seafront. WEST SHORE (SH 77293 81728) SEAFRONT West Shore Seafront West Shore is a quieter and less commercial suburb of Llandudno. The sandy beach facing 3 Conwy Bay is popular with holidaymakers. At low tide, there is a large expanse of sand, Warning Sign which is great for kite-flyers and kite-surfers. It’s also renowned for its spectacular sunsets. WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 6 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Directions Continue straight ahead to Marine Drive and the start of the Great Orme circular road. The whole route is on a pavement next to the road. Passing the Old Toll House, which looks like a miniature castle with turrets, the road begins to climb gently up the Orme. The road is a one-way system after the junction with LLys Helyg Drive, about a quarter of a mile up on the left, Toll House so any traffic will be coming towards you. After passing a Start of climb line of smart houses below, the geography below reveals a former military site. COAST Coast Artillery School (SH 75180 83390) ARTILLERY SCHOOL Looking over the wall is the site of the former Royal Artillery, Coast Artillery School. 4 The school relocated from Shoeburyness, Essex, in September 1940 and was occupied until the end of the Second World War when it was abandoned. Buildings were made to look like cottages and a chapel with a cross on its roof but were actually gun emplacements and ammunition stores. Soldiers were trained to operate searchlights, wirelesses and to fire at floating targets. At any one time, approx. 700 personnel were based here. WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 7 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Great Orme Goats Great Orme Goats Great Orme Goats Derek says, “The soldiers weren’t the only military personnel on the Great Orme. Roaming free are Kashmiri goats, descended from a pair originally given to Queen Victoria in 1837, and let loose on the Great Orme in the 1880s. They’re famous for their white cashmere coats and were chosen as the mascot of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. During the 2020 lockdown, they hit the headlines worldwide when they took over the empty streets of Llandudno. They look a bit daunting with their horns, but they keep their distance and are used to walkers, luckily!” WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 8 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Directions The path gently bends around the large curve of the Orme, still looking over Conwy Bay, where for centuries mussel fishermen have harvested the precious mussles using the ancient method of scraping the seabed with a long rake. Having passed a small shelter and viewing bench, the view below becomes more mountainous with sheep grazing on the top and rugged rocks below. Grazing sheep Point of Hornby Next to a small break in the wall, with access for those shipwreck hikers wanting a more rugged route, is a point on the Great Orme Audio Trail with details about the Hornby Shipwreck. HORNBY Hornby Shipwreck Information Board (SH 75494 84146) SHIPWRECK The Great Orme was always considered a hazard for seafarers, with a number of ships being 5 wrecked. The most famous was The Hornby, a cargo shipwrecked on her way to Rio de Janerio in 1824. She was carrying dry goods, things like sugar and coffee, worth more than £600,000, a fortune at the time. There was a crew of 13 onboard and two passengers when the Hornby hit the rocks. One sailor survived by leaping onto the cliffs; the others all perished in the wild waters. WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 9 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Derek and his abseiling instructor Matt Jones Abseiling on the Great Orme Derek says, “The Great Orme rises to 679ft above sea level and is a popular location for not only hikers but those who like a bit of a high-rise challenge. I was lucky enough to have an abseiling lesson from mountain sports expert Matt Jones. We made our way out onto a ledge which was a bit nail-biting (even though I was securely fastened with ropes), and then Matt talked me through, taking the plunge and feeding the rope through so I gently descended a length of the Great Orme. It was a really breezy day, and the waves were crashing on the rocks below so it did feel a bit hairy, but I knew I was in safe hands and was pleased I did it.” WEATHERMAN WALKING PAGE 10 DEGANWY TO LLANDUDNO AROUND THE GREAT ORME Directions A few hundred yards on, on the left hand side, is a car park, café and viewing spot. Rest and Be Thankful Cafe REST AND BE Rest and Be Thankful (SH 75642 84367) THANKFUL The Rest and Be Thankful Café is a welcome stop-off spot for walkers and sightseers, perched 6 on the end of Great Orme Head, looking out to sea. Those who want to extend their walk can take one of the hiking routes up to the summit or take the cable car from Llandudno.