Llandudno Area Info

Llandudno at a glance

Llandudno at a Glance:

Nestled in a serene and private cove on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, with one of the most secluded and magnificent beaches along the peninsula, lies the upmarket residential suburb of Llandudno; Approached by a picturesque drive over Suikerbossie Hill from Hout Bay or along Victoria Road from Camps Bay, the valley is also overlooked by several mountain ranges that include Little Lions Head, Karbonkelberg and The Twelve Apostles, which forms part of the Table Mountain range and boasts the Table Mountain National Park. As a sheltered coastal town, Llandudno is untouched by any commercial activities, shops and even street lights are absent, while the Llandudno Beach, renowned for its crisp cerulean waters, white sands and giant boulders is one of the most stunning spots in Cape Town; This Blue Flag beach is also a popular spot for beach sports like surfing, volleyball and beach rugby, as well as the ideal sun-tanning and sunset picnic spot for families with largely untouched countryside fynbos stretching off in both directions. Llandudno also houses the gorgeous Sunset Rocks Accommodation which gives easy access to Sandy Bay, the famous beach and popular shipwreck hiking trail, while a brief drive over the hill takes one into the village of Hout Bay, a charming fishing village with an array of upmarket shopping centres, restaurants, boundless tourist attractions, amusing activities for the whole family and excellent alternate options for affordable holiday accommodation just outside of Llandudno. Properties in the Llandudno area are premium and upmarket, with some properties fetching well into the tens of millions; These luxury properties, available for purchase or rental, are highly sought-after and desired for their beauty and views alone. 

Brief History of the Area:

Llandudno was christened after the North Wales seaside resort of Llandudno, which translates to Parish of Saint Tudno in the Welsh Language - stemming from the word llan which means parish. Tudno was hailed as the first person to bring Christianity to North Wales and as a result, he was made a saint and the town was named after him in reverence. This stretch of the countryside along the western slopes of Table Mountain has always been a wilderness at the doorstep of the expansive city that has become Cape Town. The tranquil bay situated below Victoria Road beneath the regal Judas Peak, was (and still is today) a popular stop-off and lookout point and the highlight of the drive, standing at the highest point on the road above what is today known as Llandudno. By 1903 the clandestine little bay situated in proximity to Cape Town was discovered and on the 26th of September 1903, the Camps Bay Extension Estates was incorporated and the valley was officially declared a coastal town. Mrs Wege, the wife of one of the directors had at the time recently returned from a holiday in the United Kingdom and was struck by the undeniable similarities between Llandudno in North Wales and Kleinkommetjie Bay. Llandudno in North Wales has rocky headlands on either side of the bay, known as Orms; These Orms are reminiscent of the headlands at Logies Bay on the northern end and Sunset Rocks to the south and so it was decided to christen the coastal town Llandudno. On the 26th of March 1904, a public auction of lots was held and by 1905 the first house in the Llandudno had been erected and by 1930 two residents were residing permanently in the area, however that number has increased over the years. Electricity arrived in 1947 and the road was finally tarred in 1952. A farm school was established in 1954 with only a handful of students and was upgraded to a primary school in 1957 and during the same year, Llandudno residents also established the church, while the Sports Club and Surf Lifesaving Club were established at a later stage. The Llandudno of today still has no retail outlets, restaurants or street lights and the beach remains unspoiled, with untouched countryside fynbos stretching off in each direction.

Schools in the Area:

There is only one public school in the Llandudno area:

• Llandudno Primary School 

Located at number 3A Maori Road in Llandudno, lies the Llandudno Primary School, a co- educational public primary school that endeavours to offer an all-inclusive education of the finest quality and relevance to children from diverse backgrounds. Llandudno Primary School has a commitment to excellence in all spheres of learning and activity; Seeking to create opportunities for each child to achieve growth and understanding of themselves and the world around them in a welcoming atmosphere of tolerance, acceptance and love. Students at Llandudno Primary School are encouraged into the development of self- discipline, confidence in problem-solving, the desire to accept a challenge, a healthy curiosity, respect for others and community involvement and awareness. Llandudno Primary School strives to create mature and caring pupils who can comfortably take their place in the high school of their choosing and one day become successful and contributing members of modern society.

Shopping Centres: 

While there are no shopping centres directly within the Llandudno area, there are several popular shopping centres located in nearby Hout Bay, only a 3km drive away, including the Victoria Mall which is located along Empire Avenue/Victoria Road and is a venue that personifies the essence of Hout Bay, offering its patrons a charming shopping experience that is perfect for smaller shopping excursions, For those looking to undertake larger shopping excursions, the Mainstream Shopping Centre, also located just outside Llandudno along Main Road and Princess Street in Hout Bay is the preferred option for the residents of Llandudno. Encompassing nearly 500 metres of Main Road property and six hectares of prime CBD, the Mainstream Shopping Centre offers its patrons the ideal mix of modern shopping malls and office blocks alongside beautiful countryside fishermans cottages that come together to create Hout Bays largest and most stylish shopping experience. 

Distance from Key Points:

Llandudno is situated in proximity to a couple of key locations, including a brief 17km drive to Cape Towns CBD. The Cape Town International Airport is only a 34km drive (or Uber ride) from Llandudno.   

Restaurants/Entertainment:

While there are no restaurants in the secluded cove of Llandudno, visitors and residents may travel over the hill into Hout Bay which is filled with a myriad of restaurants to choose from, including:

• Quentin at Oakhurst 

Located just outside Llandudno at number 3 Dorman Way in Hout Bay, lies the Quentin at Oakhurst restaurant, which follows in the footsteps of generations of family farming and cooking traditions, offering its patrons a combination of modern and traditional cuisine. Quentin at Oakhurst offers several options of a la carte and pre-set menus, with menu favourites that include the Roasted Rack of Calvinia Lamb, Wood-Roasted Crispy Duck, 90 seconds Saldanha Bay Mussels and of course decadent dessert favourites Frozen Rose Water Nougat Mediterranean Fruit or Dark Lindt Chocolate Mousse Cake. With private access to a secure 80 bay parking facility in proximity to the front entrance guarded by registered security personnel, front door wheelchair access and a weather-dependent umbrella usher service, the Quentin at Oakhurst restaurant is a hidden gem that should not be missed out on. 

• Suikerbossie Restaurant Estate

Located just outside Llandudno at number 1 Victoria Drive in Hout Bay and flanked to the west by Llandudno Beach, lies the Suikerbossie Restaurant Estate. A popular venue for weddings and events, the beautiful estate also houses an excellent restaurant that has kept the continued business of its patrons returning time and again. With a delicious a la carte menu available, the restaurant is also available for its famous Sunday breakfast and lunch roast buffets, where patrons can enjoy a hearty early morning or late afternoon meal while soaking up the classy interiors and magnificent views that the Suikerbossie restaurant has to offer. The restaurant also boasts a Kosher Kitchen under strict supervision that is also Halaal-friendly, with all meat purchased directly from a Halaal butcher and a bar area that can be completely closed off from the rest of the restaurant if necessary under the conditions of an event or wedding. Menu favourites the include the Seasonal Fruit Plate, English Breakfast, Roast Pepper Encrusted Beef Fillet, Roast Pork Belly along with the succulent Slow Roasted Chicken and of course their Malva Pudding Custard or one of their deliciously famous Scones served with an assortment of preserves. With impeccable service and a welcoming atmosphere, the Suikerbossie Restaurant Estate will continue to exist in the minds of its patrons long after they have left the premises. 

Special Attractions:

• Llandudno Ravine Hiking Trails

Accessed by two entry route points, the first being Hout Bay Corner about mid up and the second a bit further on via the Llandudno Buttress, lies the magnificent Llandudno Ravine, a popular yet secluded hiking location with breath-taking panoramic views from two vantage points situated at the top, namely Judas Peak and Llandudno Peak. Both of the routes will subject hikers to scrambling and expose them to rugged terrain and height. Of the two routes, Hout Bay Corner is the more challenging option, with some of the sections necessitating the use of rope, however, no real hiking experience is required, hikers just require a decent head for heights and a sense of adventure. For those that are seeking an additional challenge and are fit and able to spend more time hiking, it is possible to hike up and along the spine of The Twelve Apostles and eventually reach the upper cable station located at the top of Table Mountain, where you will be rewarded and overjoyed with the prospect of riding the cable car down the mountain. The Llandudno Ravine will delight those who enjoy the communion with nature and venturing into the pristine wilderness off-the- beaten-track, a hidden paradise that is begging to be explored.

• Surf Spots 

Llandudno is renowned for several top surf spots, including local Llandudno Beach and the nearby Dungeons Beach, only accessible by a 15-minute boat ride from Hout Bay Harbour. With its beautiful waters, secluded beach and large granite boulders that offer natural wind- protection, Llandudno beach is also an excellent and well-known spot for riding waves, with big swells that are best-suited to more experienced surfers. At the foot of the magnificent Sentinel Mountain cliffs, Dungeons Beach is the ultimate extreme surfing experience for well-seasoned big wave surfers and the venue that hosts the annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition; The contest takes place during winter with the worlds top-tier national and international contenders competing and participating by invitation only. Dungeons Beach is a collection of shallow open reefs and high impact zones, with sheer wave faces that can reach from 15ft up to 25ft. For those looking to catch some incredible waves, Llandudno Beach and Dungeons will not allow you to leave disappointed. 

Other special attractions include The BOS 400, a famous shipwreck located further along the peninsula and accessed via the Sandy Bay hiking trail. The Boss 400 is a sight to behold and also offers a dream experience for deep-sea divers. Llandudno also has a few prestigious clubs that offer different activities, including squash, tennis and lifesaving. 

Relevant URLs:

• Llandudno Ravine Hiking Trails Information  https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/westerncape/llandudno-ravine/
• BOS 400 Information  https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bos-400-shipwreck
• Llandudno Surf Lifesaving Club Information http://www.lslc.co.za/
• Llandudno Sports Club Information http://www.llandudnosportsclub.co.za/