Ticket to ride on the Great Orme Tramway, a funicular railway. Photo: James Hughes
Victorian Society members from across England and Wales gathered in Llandudno from 25th – 27th September for the Society’s 2026 Annual General Meeting and a weekend celebrating the remarkable Victorian and Edwardian heritage of Llandudno and North Wales.
The Society last held its AGM in Llandudno twenty years ago, and this year’s return provided an opportunity not only to revisit one of Britain’s most extraordinary Victorian resorts, but also to explore some of the architecture and landscapes of the surrounding area.
Looking towards the 1900 Grand Hotel and the 1876-78 Pier from the promenade. Photo: James Hughes
The weekend began on Friday with the AGM at Venue Cymru, followed by a lecture by Dr Kathryn Ferry on Llandudno and the development of the Victorian seaside resort. Members then gathered for drinks and dinner at St George’s Hotel on the seafront.
Saturday was devoted to Llandudno itself. Members took part in guided walks through the town, visited Llandudno Museum, and explored the celebrated pier on tours led by architectural historian Paul Dobraszczyk. In the afternoon, groups travelled on the Great Orme Tramway and visited the Great Orme Copper Mine, where members were given an introduction to the extraordinary archaeological and industrial history of the site.
Members on a walking tour to the promenade and the pier. Photo James Hughes
The day concluded with a reception in the former Tabernacl Welsh Baptist Chapel, with musical entertainment provided by the Llandudno Town Band and a talk by Edward Hillier of the Mostyn Estate on the Estate’s continuing role in the town.
Llandudno Town Band playing for members at an evening reception. Photo Marie Clements
On Sunday, members travelled further afield. Architectural historian Julian Orbach joined the group for visits including Penrhyn Castle, drawing on his extensive work on the architecture of North Wales.
Grade I-listed Penrhyn Castle. Thomas Hopper, principally 1820s-30s, with later alterations and extensions. Photo James Hughes
The weekend concluded at Llanfairfechan, where architect Adam Voelcker led members through the remarkable concentration of Arts and Crafts buildings associated with Herbert Luck North, including houses not normally accessible to the public. Adam is the leading expert on the work of North, and author of the only monograph dedicated to this fascinating architect.
The Church Institute Llanfairfechan from 1910, designed by Herbert Luck North. Photo: Marie Clements
The weekend was also an important opportunity for the Society to strengthen its connections in Wales, meeting people and organisations locally who share our interest in protecting and celebrating Victorian and Edwardian heritage.
We are enormously grateful to everyone who helped make the weekend possible, including the Mayor of Llandudno Cllr Mrs Mandy Hawkins, Dr Kathryn Ferry, Julian Orbach, Adam Voelcker and Paul Dobraszczyk; Llandudno Museum and the Great Orme Copper Mine; Edward Hillier and the Mostyn Estate; the Llandudno Town Band; our guides, hosts and local partners; and, above all, the members who joined us and threw themselves so enthusiastically into a very full programme.
A member in a corridor at Penrhyn Castle. Photo James Hughes
The Society’s AGM weekends are open exclusively to Victorian Society members and combine the formal business of the Annual General Meeting with talks, visits and access to buildings and places of particular historic and architectural interest.
Trustee Kit Wedd at the National Trust’s Penrhyn Castle. Photo James Hughes
