Tuesday 1 October 2013

Lets Linger in Llandudno

Glimpse through the buddleia bush where no butterflies lingered on this autumnal day is the seaside resort of Llandudno in Wales.
The seats on the promenade were empty under showery skies and as can be seen by the flag, it was a windy day.  The Victorians dubbed the promenade "The Parade" and I imagine there are lots of old postcards of the era showing people in their finery parading leisurely up and down.   
Anoraks were the apparel of choice on this day whether on The Parade or
on the beach. Llandudno was originally a small village of fisher-folk, farmers and copper miners but all that changed when the idea of turning it into a seaside resort was made and much of the centre of the town and front with its hotels was developed from 1857-1877.  No resort being complete without a pier this one arrived in 1878.
And by the side of the pier is the magnificent Grand Hotel with its view over the bay and the Little Orme.
Pier and Little Orme
 The pier is 2,295 ft (700m) long and from it you can not only see the bay and the Little Orme but also I believe, the mountains of Snowdonia, but not on this day for the entrance was locked.  I had to be content with
 taking a photograph of the outside and the
t
empty slide, although by this point the rain had arrived so we headed for shelter
but on the way this building caught my eye. It was built at the end of Llandudno's twenty years of construction, (in 1875) and is known in the local lingo as Y Tabernacl but the building inscription is the 'Wesleyan Welsh Baptistery' and its unique feature inside is a "drainage" dressing room for baptismal candidates in the full immersion font.  The building nowadays is used as a heritage and exhibition centre.   I believe it was designed by the prolific chapel architect Richard Owen who it is said built up to 250  in his lifetime.  Time to head indoors;
a
  
although a pub called "The London" is not something one would expect to see in Welsh speaking Wales but I suspect it may be because there is a direct train from London Euston to Llandudno which in the past, and still today, brings holidaymakers to the Welsh coast.

An entry to ABC Wednesday a journey through the alphabet sojourning this week at L

7 comments:

Leslie: said...

Oh Joy! (and I mean that in 2 ways!) This is where my Nana Jones was born and brought up and I still have to get there. I almost got there last year, but didn't. It's absolutely beautiful and I have friends in Liverpool who go there frequently for a holiday. Love Love Love your photos!

Leslie
abcw team

Roger Owen Green said...

I like the London naming story
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Lea said...

You got some very interesting photos despite the wind and rain.
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Gerald (SK14) said...

a lovely tour of Llandudno - we stayed on the west shore years ago and my wife renamed the avenue which runs from there to the north shore - pneumonia alley!

Jocee said...

What a nice looking place with such interesting buildings and their history.

Carver said...

Wonderful shots of a beautiful place.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures of great place...