Llandudno in North Wales has been named the second most dog-friendly seaside town in the UK, according to a new study by Tails.com. The research ranked coastal destinations based on factors including dog-friendly beach availability, green spaces, restaurants and cafés that allow dogs, and the number of vets.
Top Features for Dogs in Llandudno
According to Tails.com, Llandudno boasts 43 walking routes, 24 dog-friendly restaurants, 15 cafés where dogs are welcome, and two beaches where dogs can play on the sand. The town came second only to Southport in Merseyside, which took the top spot.
One of the best spots for a walk is Llandudno Pier, a Victorian structure that allows dogs on a leash year-round. Another dog-friendly attraction is the Great Orme Tramway, which runs from Llandudno Victoria Station to near the summit of the Great Orme headland. Dogs can travel onboard for a small fee and enjoy walks around the limestone headland with sea views.
Beaches and Historic Sites
Along the tramway route, the Great Orme Mines, halfway along the line, welcomes dogs. Visitors and their pets can explore tunnels mined over 3,500 years ago at this archaeological site.
For beachgoers, Llandudno's North Shore Beach, a shingly stretch, bans dogs during summer months between the pier and Clarence Road, but dogs can still walk on the promenade and in the non-restricted zone. The quieter West Shore Beach, about 0.75 miles long, has restrictions on dogs in its central part during summer, marked by stone groynes, but dogs can roam freely outside that zone. This beach offers sand and shingle, with more sandy space at low tide.
Other Welsh Towns in the Top 10
Wales performed well in the rankings overall. Conwy, near Llandudno, came seventh, with Conwy Morfa Beach allowing dogs year-round and off-leash running. Penarth ranked eighth; although there is a summer restriction on dogs from May 1 to September 30, this only applies to the area between Penarth Pier and the Yacht Club. Barry placed ninth; while the main beach of Whitmore Bay has a summer ban on dogs, canine-friendly spots include Jackson's Bay and Watch Tower Bay, which allow dogs year-round.
The UK's 10 best dog-friendly seaside towns, according to Tails.com, are: Southport, Llandudno, Margate, Falmouth, Whitstable, St Ives, Conwy, Penarth, Barry, and Whitby.
