Great Orme Tramway

Great Orme Tramway featuring railway items and street scenes
Great Orme Tramway featuring street scenes and railway items
Great Orme Tramway showing street scenes
Great Orme Tramway featuring railway items as well as a small group of people
Great Orme Tramway which includes street scenes and railway items


The only cable-hauled tramway in Britain, and in fact one of the last remaining in the world, the Great Orme Tramway is one of the most beloved heritage attractions in Wales, carrying in the region of 160,000 passengers every year from Victoria Station in Llandudno to the Summit Station, a distance of around a mile. First opened at the turn of the 20th Century, and preserved in part through funding from the National Lottery and the EU, the tramway operates on a funicular system, whereby each car is attached to the cable that is winched up the hill, the weight of the descending car helping to pull up the one ascending.

Interestingly, the Great Orme Tramway was built in two sections, and that division remains. In order to reach the summit then, it is necessary to change cars at the halfway station, a 21st century addition that showcases the tramway’s winding gear in a glass-panelled room, as well as an interesting historical exhibit. On the lower stretch, travelling along public streets, the gradient can be as high as 26%. Two cars operate for each section, named after saints, and beautifully restored as you’d expect.

Travel on this unique example of Victorian engineering through the appealing surrounds of the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve. When the skies are clear you’ll enjoy breathtaking views as far as the Isle of Man and the Lake District, as well as Llandudno, known as the “Queen of Welsh Resorts”, below you.

Reviews of Great Orme Tramway

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
76
" "5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
49
" "4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Go early and take cash as no debit/credit facilities

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Was very busy, tram full when we arrived , long queue waiting 20 mins for next one. didn't have time to wait. Tip allow plenty of time.

5/5 - Excellent

Ruth

Walk up the great orm it’s lovely great views on a good day. visit the mine

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Top section not working but no reduction in cost. We were told that was because they had to hire a bus for the top section. If I wanted to ride a bus then I would catch the regular service and not pay £8+ for the privilege.

Popular places to visit


Top Great Orme Tramway Hotel Deals

The Marine Hotel
The Marine Hotel
3.5 out of 5
The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
The Marine Hotel
St George's Hotel
St George's Hotel
4 out of 5
The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
St George's Hotel
Grand Hotel Llandudno
Grand Hotel Llandudno
3 out of 5
Happy Valley Road, Conwy, Llandudno, Wales
Grand Hotel Llandudno
Esplanade Hotel Llandudno
Esplanade Hotel Llandudno
3 out of 5
Glan Y Mor Parade, Llandudno, Wales
Esplanade Hotel Llandudno
Imperial Hotel
Imperial Hotel
4 out of 5
Vaughan Street, The Promenade, Llandudno, Wales
Imperial Hotel
The Empire Hotel & Spa
The Empire Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Church Walks, Llandudno, Wales
The Empire Hotel & Spa
The Marlborough Hotel
The Marlborough Hotel
3 out of 5
The Marlborough Hotel South Parade, Llandudno, Wales
The Marlborough Hotel
White Heather Hotel
White Heather Hotel
3.5 out of 5
St. George's Place, Llandudno, Wales
White Heather Hotel
Headlands Hotel
Headlands Hotel
3 out of 5
10 Hill Terrace, Llandudno, Wales
Headlands Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages. Book Flight + Lodging, save up to 100% of flight price - Savings based on flight + lodging package prices as compared to the price of the same components available for booking separately before all discounts and rewards applied. Your bundled savings cover up to 100% of your flight. Savings vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and travel suppliers. Savings not available on all flight + lodging package bookings.