The Great Orme Tramway is a century-old funicular street train offering picturesque rides to the summit of Great Orme. Step aboard a carriage, sit back and admire the unbeatable panoramas as you travel to the top of a rugged headland. Learn about the tramway’s history via exhibits and get a close-up view of the operating machinery.
The Great Orme Tramway is a 1-mile-long (1.6-kilometer) journey to a height of 679 feet (207 meters). Inaugurated in 1902, today it’s the last surviving cable-powered tramway in Great Britain. It’s also one of only three in the world the others are located in Lisbon and San Francisco.
Your journey begins at Victoria Station, where you board one of the colorfully painted tramcars named after Welsh saints. Then, trundle uphill past Victorian-era houses before getting your first glimpse of the craggy cliffs of the Great Orme headland. Look back to watch as Llandudno’s town center disappears into the distance.
The first leg of the trip finishes at the Halfway Station. Here, displays of artifacts and photos retrace the tramway’s history. Observe the winding gear and watch as the winchmen control the ascending and descending tramcars. Just a 5-minute walk from the station is the Great Orme Mines, a 4,000-year-old copper mine.
As the cars ascend from Halfway Station to the peak of Great Orme, look for the area’s varied wildlife. Spot butterflies, peregrine falcons and seabirds such as guillemots and razorbills. Look for herds of Kashmiri mountain goats, distinguishable by their scimitar-shaped horns and pashmina coats.
Alight at the Summit Station and spend some time appreciating the breathtaking views of flower-filled meadows, limestone cliffs and a winding coastline. On exceptionally clear days you’ll be able to see Anglesey’s Holy Island, the Isle of Man and England’s Lake District. Discover more about the mountain and overall area at the Great Orme Country Park Visitor Centre.
The Great Orme Tramway is open from late March to October. Trips depart every 20 minutes. Find more information, including admission fees, on the tramway’s official website.
