‘Llandudno Welcomes You’ sign, Penrhynside

‘Llandudno Welcomes You’ sign, Penrhynside

Old photo of tram passing welcome sign at Penrhyn HillThis illuminated sign has greeted visitors to Llandudno since before the Second World War. It’s attached to two poles which originally supported the electricity wires of the tramway which cross the main road here.

The wires are visible in the upper photo, courtesy of the L&CB Tramway Society. A web of supporting wires was needed here because of the complex layout of the road junction and tramway crossing, shown on our page about the tramway here.

The tramway opened in 1907 and in 1910 Llandudno Urban Council arranged for the tramway company to install two electric lamps at the top of Penrhyn Hill, at a cost of £2. The company would also maintain the lamps and ensure they were lit and extinguished daily.

In 1936-37, the council allocated funding for “provision of an illuminated sign at the top of Penrhyn Hill”. The sign was dismantled for safe winter storage in late 1937, and a directional arrow attached to one of the posts to point the direct way to Llandudno.

Photo of replica tram passing welcome sign at Penrhyn HillAs tourism returned after the war, the Llandudno Publicity Association pressed for the sign to be re-erected, on what was then the main road into Llandudno for visitors from England. The council agreed in July 1950.

For the visit of the Cheltenham Motor Club Rally on 24 August 1951, the council gave special permission for the sign to remain illuminated all night.

The sign was refurbished in 2012, when the word Croeso (meaning “Welcome”) was added, as shown in the lower photo of the tramway society's replica tram passing the sign in 2019. The directional arrow was removed, as the modern road layout made the road to Llandudno obvious.

With thanks to Terry Davies and to the Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society

View Location Map

tour-tramway button_nav_to_colwbutton_nav_to_llan