At a glance
Llandudno West Shore is the quieter, dog-friendly counterpart to the busy North Shore, facing the Conwy Estuary with views of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle. It has a literary connection as the beach where Alice Liddell — inspiration for Alice in Wonderland — played as a child. No lifeguard, no crowds, excellent sunsets.
About Llandudno West Shore
While Llandudno's North Shore gets the most visitors, it is the West Shore that many regulars consider the more rewarding experience. Facing north-west across the Conwy Estuary, with Snowdonia filling the southern horizon and Conwy Castle visible on clear days, West Shore offers a fundamentally different character — quieter, wilder, and with views that the south-facing North Shore simply cannot provide.
The beach has a charming literary connection. Alice Liddell, the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, spent childhood summer holidays at Llandudno in the 1860s with her family, staying at a house on the West Shore. It was Alice Liddell who inspired Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) to write Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, and the town has celebrated this connection ever since. A bronze statue of the White Rabbit stands on the promenade, and an annual Alice in Wonderland festival draws visitors each summer.
The beach character is shingle and sand, and it is significantly quieter than North Shore throughout the year. Dogs are welcome year-round without seasonal restrictions, and the wide, flat promenade is ideal for dog walking and evening strolls. Sunsets from West Shore — with the Snowdonian peaks turning orange and the estuary waters reflecting the sky — can be among the most beautiful in North Wales.
What to do at West Shore
- Promenade and beach walking — A flat, accessible promenade runs the full length of the beach. Dog-friendly year-round.
- The White Rabbit statue — Find the bronze statue on the promenade and discover the Alice Liddell connection to this beach.
- Sunset watching — West Shore faces north-west — sunsets over the estuary and Snowdonian peaks are a highlight of any visit.
- Marine Drive walk — The toll road around the Great Orme is open free to pedestrians — walk from West Shore to North Shore via the cliff circuit.
- Rock pooling — The base of the Great Orme at the western end of the beach has accessible rock pools at low tide.
Visiting tips
Getting there
From Llandudno town centre, follow signs for West Shore — it is approximately a 20-minute walk through the town. By car, the West Shore car park (LL30 2BD) is reached via Gloddaeth Avenue. Llandudno station (1 mile) is on the North Wales branch line with frequent services from Llandudno Junction.
Best time to visit
West Shore is worth visiting at any season, but is particularly rewarding in autumn and winter when the mountain views are clearest and the beach is completely deserted. Spring evenings with the Snowdonian peaks still snow-capped and the estuary calm make for exceptional photography.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Alice Liddell — the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland — spent childhood summers at Llandudno in the 1860s with her family. The Liddell family stayed in a holiday home on the West Shore, and Alice played on this beach. A bronze statue of the White Rabbit stands on the promenade as a memorial to this connection, and Llandudno celebrates its Alice heritage with an annual festival.
West Shore is on the Conwy Estuary side of the Great Orme and can be affected by tidal currents from the estuary. It is a pleasant paddling beach at low tide but is not ideal for confident open-water swimming — the North Shore is a better choice for swimming. No lifeguard covers West Shore.
West Shore faces north-west into the Conwy Estuary and has less direct sun than the south-facing North Shore. It has no pier, no amusements and fewer facilities — which makes it much quieter and more peaceful. Dog owners and walkers seeking solitude strongly prefer it, particularly out of season.
Outstanding, and very different from North Shore. West Shore looks across the Conwy Estuary to the mountains of Snowdonia, with Conwy Castle visible 4 miles to the south-east, and the peaks of the Carneddau forming the backdrop. Sunsets from West Shore over the estuary and mountains can be exceptional.
Yes. The two beaches are connected by a path over the shoulder of the Great Orme — the Marine Drive road (toll road, open to pedestrians and cyclists free of charge) follows the full cliff circuit. Alternatively, the shorter cut through the town takes about 20 minutes on foot. The Great Orme Tramway also connects the two promenades via the summit.