At a glance
Great Orme Marine Drive (LL30 2XD) — 4-mile toll road around the Great Orme sea cliffs above Llandudno. Car toll approx £5 · cyclists and walkers free. Conwy Bay, Anglesey, and Irish Sea views. Wild Kashmiri goats on the cliff tops. Easter–October, 10:00–17:00. 30–45 min drive.
About the Great Orme Marine Drive
The Great Orme Marine Drive circles the entire Great Orme headland in 4 miles — following the cliff edge above the Irish Sea on the western and northern sections, with Conwy Bay and Anglesey laid out below. The road was built in 1878 as a pleasure drive for Victorian tourists, and it remains one of the most dramatic short drives in Wales: the limestone cliffs falling away on the sea side, the wild Kashmiri goat herd grazing the cliff-top turf above, and the wide Irish Sea opening to the horizon.
The drive is circular — starting from Llandudno's West Shore or Happy Valley, the road winds clockwise around the headland, passing the lighthouse on the western tip, the dramatic northern cliffs of Pen Trwyn, and the gentler eastern descent back toward the town. At no point is Llandudno far away — this is accessible spectacle, taking less than an hour to complete and requiring nothing more than a car and the £5 toll.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
The Great Orme Marine Drive is a 4-mile (6.5 km) toll road that circles the entire Great Orme headland above Llandudno, following the cliff edge above the Irish Sea for its western and northern sections before returning to the town along the eastern side. The road was built in the late 19th century as a scenic drive — at the time a fashionable recreation for Victorian tourists who had arrived at Llandudno by the newly built railway. It remains one of the classic coastal drives in North Wales, giving views that are unavailable from any other road: the limestone sea cliffs dropping away on one side, and Conwy Bay, Anglesey, and the Irish Sea stretching to the horizon on the other.
The western section of the Marine Drive — the stretch above the sea on the Conwy Bay side — gives the most dramatic views. Looking north-west: Anglesey with its low coastline visible across Conwy Bay, and Puffin Island off its eastern tip. Looking north: the Irish Sea, and on exceptionally clear days the outline of the Isle of Man. Looking west: Penmaenmawr and the North Wales coast towards Bangor, with the Menai Strait visible beyond. The road passes the headland of Pen Trwyn at the northern tip, where the cliffs are at their highest (approximately 100 m). The drive is particularly fine in the late afternoon, when the sea takes on a golden colour to the west and the sky above the Snowdonia mountains deepens to blue.
Yes — walkers and cyclists use the Marine Drive free of charge (the toll applies to motor vehicles). Walking the full circuit from Llandudno town takes approximately 2–2.5 hours. The road surface is smooth enough for road bikes, though the circuit has some gradient. For walkers, the cliff-top path above the road gives even better views on the western section — the Offa's Dyke Path follows this section of coast. The Great Orme headland also has footpaths across the summit and through the nature reserve that give walking options beyond the Marine Drive circuit. The combination of the Marine Drive with the Great Orme Summit (reached by tramway or cable car) makes a full Great Orme day.
Yes — one of the notable features of the Great Orme is its herd of wild Kashmiri goats (Capra aegagrus hircus), descended from a pair given to Queen Victoria in 1837, which subsequently went feral on the headland. The herd numbers approximately 200 animals, roaming the cliff tops and even occasionally wandering into Llandudno town. They are frequently seen on the Marine Drive, particularly on the cliff-top grass above the road on the western section. They are wild animals and should not be fed or approached closely — the bucks can be aggressive, particularly in the rut (September–November). The Kashmiri goats are a genuine wildlife spectacle and one of the more unexpected encounters on a North Wales coastal drive.
The Marine Drive is typically open from approximately Easter to October, with hours generally 10:00–17:00 (last entry). The exact season and hours are set by Llandudno Town Council and can vary — check the council website or local information before visiting, especially in shoulder months. In winter the road is closed to vehicles. The coastal footpaths around the headland are accessible year-round on foot. The toll at the time of writing is approximately £5 per car (cash and card accepted at the tollgate). Motorcycles, cyclists, and pedestrians use the road free of charge during the open season.