NORTH WALES - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 738

Groes Inn You can almost smell the 16th century at this roadside inn—it dates
from 1573 and was the first licensed house in Wales. Although it has expanded over
the years, the original core is still here, with log fires, antiques, and open-beamed,
time-blackened ceilings, set amid rolling agricultural pastures. Rooms are in a sepa-
rate wing away from the pub noise; Deluxe and Balcony units are a good size, com-
fortably furnished, and come with terraces.
Even if you don't stay, stop in for classic pub food cooked with the finest ingredi-
ents, which you can eat in the restaurant or an informal bar. There are plenty of
local touches, like the Groes smokie (smoked haddock with Parmesan cheese), gam-
mon steak served with a local farm egg, and Groes Ale, brewed specially for the inn.
Main courses cost between £9 and £19.
Tyn-y-Groes, Conwy LL32 8TN. www.groesinn.com. & 01492/650545. Fax [phone] units.
£115-£190 double. Rates include Welsh breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. 3 miles south of Conwy on B5106.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service. In room: TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free). Bus: 19.

LLANDUDNO
243 miles NW of London; 43 miles E of Holyhead
This once-fashionable seaside resort of Llandudno nestles in a crescent between the
giant headlands of the Great Orme and the Little Orme, named by Vikings who
thought they resembled sea serpents when shrouded in mist. The town was mostly
built beginning around 1850 by the Mostyn family, after whom many local roads,
avenues, and sites are named—and is forever linked with the Liddells, whose daugh-
ter Alice was the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Wonderland. Although Llandudno has
lost some of its prewar luster, its Promenade remains one of Britain's most hand-
some, and there are fine coastal views from Marine Drive and the Great Orme
Tramway.
The resort's Victorian history lends it a certain cachet that's attracting a new gen-
eration of metropolitan weekend-breakers.
Essentials
GETTING THERE Virgin Trains has services from London's Euston Station,
frequently requiring a change of equipment in Chester, the gateway to the North
Wales rail network. Three trains per day go direct from Euston to Llandudno Junction
with no changes, taking 3 hours.
During the day, regular buses connect Llandudno with Bangor. Buses from Llan-
dudno Junction Station to the center depart about every 10 minutes.
If you're driving from England, head across North Wales along the A55.
VISITOR INFORMATION The Llandudno Tourist Information Centre,
Mostyn Street ( & 01492/577577; www.visitllandudno.org.uk), is open daily 9am
to 5pm, but closed Sundays from November through March.
Exploring Llandudno
From the summit of the Great Orme (206m/679 ft.), you get a panoramic view
along the North Wales coast. You can walk up to the top if you're really energetic, but
we prefer other means: Take the Great Orme Tramway ( & 01492/879306;
www.greatormetramway.com), which has been carrying passengers to the summit
since 1902. It operates every 20 minutes, daily from 10am to 6pm. The round-trip
costs £5.80 for adults, £4 for children 3 to 16. It's closed between late October and

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