In photos: a trip on Llandudno’s wonderful cable car to the Great Orme, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Running along the Great Orme for a distance of one mile and forty feet (1.622 km), the Llandudno Cable Car is a splendid attraction in the seaside resort of Llandudno in north Wales.

Opening in summer 1969, the ride offers fabulous views of the Irish Sea looking over to Rhyl and the Isle of Man, as well as panoramic views over the town and the Snowdonia National Park behind it.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

There are currently 20 open air cabins in service, all painted cheerful shades of red, yellow, orange, light blue and purple, and they depart at approximately one-minute intervals.

The highest point from the ground over the journey is around 80 feet (24.38 m), with nine pylons supporting the cable over the hillside.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

The lower station is situated on Aberdeen Hill in Happy Valley Gardens, a short stroll from the town centre up from the landmark pier, with the upper station located next to the summit of the Great Orme.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Llandundo pier seen from the base station.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Only cash for the ‘casheir’ – no card payments are accepted. See below for prices.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Getting ready to board.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Here comes our car!

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Passing a car on the return journey.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Wikipedia advises:

The cable car cannot operate in wind speeds of over 22 mph (35 km/h) because of safety restrictions. It is often much calmer in Happy Valley but the wind is unpredictable at the summit, resulting in closures which may last a few minutes or a whole day. The cable cars also cannot operate in thunderstorms and might close if rain is too heavy.

The cable cars normally operate from the beginning of the Easter holidays to the end of the October half-term school holiday.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Apart from an explosion of shuddering when the cable car crosses a pylon, the journey is surprisingly quiet.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Snowdonia in the distance.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Passing the Great Orme Tramway.  The website offers a short history of this historic route:

1898: The Great Orme Tramways Act was passed which laid out the length of the Tramway, the gauge and the fares to be paid. The original purpose of the Tramway was to transport passengers, goods and parcels up and down the Great Orme.

The Tramway even had to carry coffins to the Halfway Station for burial at St Tudno’s churchyard. There was no concession for grief; mourners were charged full fare, plus 2s 6d (12.5p) for transporting the coffin!

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Arriving at the Great Orme Summit Complex, once owned by boxer Randolph Turpin, which has a restaurant, café, boxing themed bar and shop. All were closed when we arrived on one of the last journeys of the evening.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Names marked out in stones on the Great Orme.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

There’s stunning views from the summit.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Heading back into town. We were the penultimate passengers on the day!

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

View of Llandudno.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Looking back up to the Great Orme.

In photos: a trip on Llandudno's wonderful cable car, August 2018

Cable Car details

Llandudno Cable Car
Happy Valley to Great Orme Summit
Line length 5,320 ft (1,620 m)

Ticket prices

Adult Return £10.50 adult
Adult Single £10.00 adult
Child Return £8.50 child
Child Single £8.00 child
Family Return £31.00 family
Family Single £29.00 family

Opening times

April to October (weather permitting) Please ring for opening times (1 Apr 2018 – 31 Oct 2018) – 01492 877205.

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