Charles Darwin was in Llandudno circa 1824, but his presence has hardly been noticed by chroniclers of the town's history.
We are indebted to John Price, MA (Old Price), 1803 - 1887 in his guidebook Llandudno And How To Enjoy It for his record of Charles Darwin's visit to Llandudno.
Old Price was born at Pwllycrochan (Colwyn Bay). He was a school-fellow at Dr Butler's school, Shrewsbury, and, although six years older, a lifelong friend of Charles Darwin.
The first reference to Darwin at Llandudno in Old Price's guidebook is:
"... the formidable Llech, where, at the abrupt termination of a green zigzag (distinctly visible from the sea), a very rugged and narrow path led the adventurous explorer past a little artificial dripping grotto, with a stone table in it, down to the very sea ledges. Here true Samphire (Crithmum maritimum) grows, which we used to get by shooting it down. Asperugo Procumbens grew here when we went down with Charles Darwin about 1824, but seems smothered by nettles long since."
The zigzag approach to Ogof Llech is no longer safe to use after the 1993 Llandudno floods eroded part of the track. It is interesting that Asperugo Procumbens (German Madwort) is listed in Thomas Williams, Guidebooks To Llandudno, of the 1860s as being at Llech, but said to be rare.
The harvesting of samphire has been common for centuries. Even Shakespeare comments on its method of collection in King Lear.
Thomas Williams advertises his 'Pickled Orme's Head Samphire' for sale at his Italian Warehouse, where the Empire Hotel now stands, and later at his new premises where Hooson's Corner is located.
The second Old Price reference to Darwin at Llandudno is;
"Reptiles - the writer, in company with Charles Darwin, caught a Viper on the Warren, about 1824, favoured by Wellington boots and very strong gardening gloves. Holding him short by the neck, we let him bite at the glove, and emit a drop of clear fluid along the fang, which sank instantly into the leather.
"When this had been done about five times, no more poison was left, and we killed, but did not eat him - a fact never satisfactorily explained".
He does not say whether the capture took place on the Warren at the West Shore or that on the North Shore. Contemplating eating a viper seems strange to us these days, in spite of a much more adventurous approach we have to new recipes and ingredients in recent years.
Darwin and Old Price met up again at Cambridge in 1829 where Price was tutoring and reading for his own ordination. Darwin stuck to him so closely that it seemed to Price like hero worship.
One day, as they walked to Cherry Hinton quarries south of the town, Price stopped, pointed out some common plants, and proceeded to identify them. Darwin was astounded. 'Price, Price, he exclaimed, what would I give to be such a naturalist as you'.
The adventures of Old Price and Charles Darwin at Llandudno in 1824 took place when Price was about 21 and Darwin about 15 years of age. But their friendship continued throughout their lives. For example, even in 1874 after Darwin had produced the 'Origin of Species', the 'Descent of Man' and most of his other works, when old Price was writing his 'Llandudno and how to enjoy it', there was still contact between the two, now old men.
Darwin was researching insectivorous plants and Old Price offered to send him a rare bladderwort.
Charles Darwin died in 1882. When Old Price died at Chester in 1887 he left behind him many of Darwin's works which Darwin had presented to him. We are indebted to the two men, Darwin and Old Price, whose escapades, when young, in this area, further enrich the impressive history of Llandudno's mountain, the Great Orme, and its environs. May the memory of their visit survive.
More famous visitors to the town ...
your comments
We're making some changes to the sites shortly and although this form will be closing, you will have other opportunities to contribute on our new-look site.
chloe finney
my class are learning about Charles robert darwin so i looked at this site. i really like this site because i can find out lots of different stuff about him unlike other sites i have been on.
Mon Feb 16 09:54:57 2009
JD Morgan from Cardiff
Yet another one of Wales' famous sons will go unmentioned while we celebrate Darwin who did not discover Natural selection - Alfred Russell-Wallace for his theory of evolution completed a month earlier than Darwin!'Darwin was standing on the shoulders of geniuses.’
Thu Jan 22 15:01:12 2009
Brian Stein - Now Luton
I once noticed Ken Roach, AKA Kenneth Barlow of Corrie, strolling the promenade consuming candyfloss purchased from the pier. stood there laughing at the punch and judy show, didnt enjoy it when he was squirted (i think deliberatly) by the crocodile. Bet no-one can beat that as a celebrity spot in Llandudno.
Tue Apr 10 10:05:48 2007
Doug Barder, Deganwy
I too remember the day Bryson came to town. It was during Victoriana weekend. He was dressed up in full victorian garb, top hat, cane - he looked the dogs to be honest - he even bought me a drink in the Carlton that day. Lovely chap and fine reading as well humorous with a sublime scepticism along the route.
Fri Mar 23 09:47:49 2007
celia posselthwaite - mochdre
i remember when the rolling stones drummer keith moon came to llandudno and this can be read in his book "moon the loon" when he drove around llandudno proclaiming apes had escaped from colwyn bay zoo! now that boy could drink - lovely down to earth chap, stayed at the "mint" imperial at the time.
Wed Mar 21 09:14:59 2007
Bob Woolmer, Church Walks, Llandudno
Robin - Loved your tale about the bearded Yankee. My path also crossed the aforementioned Bryson during his stay in our GREAT town.
I was a humble barman in the Cottage Loaf. He ordered a cheese pasty with all the trimmings and a PINT of real guest ale (Feathered Osprey as I recall). Anyway, he told me of how he had visited Whitley Bay, Morecambe, Porthcawl, the lot. But as far as seaside towns went, not one of them could hold a candle to our GREAT town. He did admit to liking Liverpool more, however. Which I thought blotted his copybook somewhat.
Anyroad, what a GREAT fella. Three cheers for Bryson!
Tue Mar 20 09:31:52 2007
Robin
I remember on one very amusing occasion whilst working the local bookies I had a famous visitor called bill bryson - novelist - who came im and laughed manically as he had never punted in his life before. showed him how to place a yankee bet each way. He picked 4 horses purely by name - foolish really - but blow me he had 3 winners and collected over £40 that day. He later mentioned llandudno in his book. He was a true gent doffed his panama hat on the way out and asked me for directions to a local hostelry. i sent him to the christian hotel as he didnt leave me a tip.
Tue Mar 13 11:22:20 2007
Barry Turnbull
To Jan Reilly. Funnily enough, have just received some LP Davies books in the post today from a company called Zardoz.
Mon Oct 2 15:07:04 2006
skippy,sydney
Sally, you must be 30 by now! Richard Gere was making one of his best movies, Yanks, with Vanessa Redgrave, William Devane and Rachel Roberts. I live in Sydney and I had a lovely surprise to see part of the film was shot in Llandudno.
Tue Aug 22 17:07:02 2006
Jan Reilly Llandudno
I'm trying to find out if L. P. Davies, the author of The Twilight Journey, is still alive, I know he lived in Deganwy. I would love to get hold of some of his books which seem to have now gone out of print.
Thu Jul 27 10:01:18 2006
Greg Robbins from Llandudno
I have seen many a famous character in the town, but the most surporiseing was a good few years back when at an ASDA checkout I realised I had Lionel Blair in front of me and Kim Hartman (Helga from 'Allo 'Allo!) behind me!
I have also had the pleasure of meeting and playing Eric Bristow and Bobby George at darts in the Kings Arms in the past two years (and yes, they won!)
Tue Jun 6 17:13:08 2006
Tommy Cockles, Layland
Frankau and the BBC radio star Tommy Handley performed together many times, most famously as the mismatched couple 'Mr Murgatroyd and Mr Winterbottom', Frankau's Etonian accent oddly contrasting with Handley's Liverpudlian dialect as they humorously discussed topical items.
On this occasion Frankau's piano accompanist was Monte Crick, who went on to become one of the four actors to portray Dan Archer in the BBC's landmark radio drama serial The Archers.
All of this was performed in the grand hotel in front of a live audience - you couldnt do it now though - with songs of oops mrs there goes the banana - happy days
Mon Dec 19 17:55:10 2005
Tony Russell from Devizes
Does anyone have information about Ronald Frankau's time in Llandudno during the 1930s ?
Sat Dec 17 17:33:09 2005
Richard Simcox, Deganwy, Now in Egypt
My mother ran a caravan site at Bwlch in Deganwy in the Sixties and in those days lots of the performers from the Arcadia and the Pier used to stay, many of the carry on stars and others used to visit. Ted Rogers was at the arcadia for summer seasons, along with Golton and Simpson (writers of Alf Garnett) and lots of others.
Sun Nov 27 08:57:31 2005
Ted, now Lanarkshire
When I was the landlord of the public house "The Links Hotel" on Conwy road, I took a booking for what were discribed as big boned gents. I booked two double beds and charged them for singles at the time was £7.50 - B&B should have been £12.50 - anyway I digress- who should turn up on my doorstep one cold eve but none other than Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks - wrestling heros. I thought they were going to scrap there and then but it was actually all an act (they were performing in the Arcadia the following day). We stayed up and chatted for hours - Big Daddy enjoyed his darts and John Willie Lees mild whereas Giant Haystacks liked Jungle Fresh Nuts and strictly lager. Really nice chaps and got on well, no arguments - just shows you that things on tv aren't as true as they seem.
Tue Nov 22 21:46:47 2005
Willie Nelson, Dunstable
When I was younger, my father took me to see Windsor Davies in pantomime.
He trotted out all his classic sayings "Lovely boy, lovely boy", "Shoulders back" and "Shut up".
My father waited round in the pouring rain in order that we could meet him after the show - it was mid August! He really did look like Jack the Biscuit (Windsor Davies not my dad!) in a marvellous suit that must have cost at least &50 - a lot of money back then. He was a lovely chap. He took us backstage and bought me a cherryade and my father a bitter shandy.
My father noticed one of Windsor's shoelaces had come undone and without a moments thought quipped "tie it in a Windsor knot!". How we all laughed.
To this day I can still hear his voice in my head.
What a true gent.
Sun Nov 20 23:23:42 2005
Danny Wallace, Southampton
Always remember chatting to none other than Geordie darts commentator Sid Waddell and we were discussing llandudno as it was a town of my birth right - he exclaimed that during the early 80s he stayed in the Bedford Hotel - and got the inspiration of writing TV Kiddies Programme Jossie's Giants no less - apparently he got the idea from strolling through craig y don park - little known fact there.
Sat Nov 19 22:01:34 2005
Matthew Kelly, Limerick
Reading these stories aome fascinating celebrities have visited Llandudno haven't they?
I saw Ted Rogers doing a brilliant live 3-2-1 show at the Arcadia Theatre manyyears ago. How he did that 3-2-1 trick with his fingers I'll never know.
Sat Nov 19 15:04:48 2005
Trevor Cleaver
When I was a mere skivvy (I mopped the floor and mucked out the toilets) in Tribells chippy, my colleague served Willie Rushden. He ordered chips, steak and kidney pudding with mushy peas for himself and a cone of chips with a large sausage for his lovely lady wife.
He was a jovial chap and I have to say his beard (his trademark) was wonderfully maintained.
Thu Nov 17 12:11:32 2005
Nia, Newport
My friend served Rik Mayall on the cable cars - he was wearing leather trousers and eating an ice cream!
Thu Nov 17 10:29:04 2005
heli, deganwy
I used to work in a cafe near the theatre in Llandudno, so I saw Linda Lusardi (massive cheeks), Joe Pasquale (very short) and Peter Duncan (he left a 50p tip and said it was the best scone with jam and cream he'd ever had). I also saw Ainsley Harriott on the prom.
Thu Nov 17 10:27:58 2005
Sally, Llandudno
I sat on Richard Gere's knee in the Grand Hotel (I was only three!) He must have been here filming something.
Thu Nov 17 10:26:32 2005
Tony Phillipson, Great Orme
I once sold a ribbon for an Olivetti 198 typewriter to none other than Carol Vorderman of Countdwon fame.
Wed Nov 16 19:38:31 2005
Jane Cater from Penrhyn Bay
I met the big boned period actor Brian Blessed in Billy Lal's in the early 1990's.
He said he was down to visit William Roach (Ken Barlow) of Coronation Street fame who was a long standing family friend.
Tue Nov 15 11:40:00 2005
Catrin, Llandudno
My friend saw Rick Astley outside Woolworths at the time when he was really famous! She just got off the school but and there he was.
Tue Nov 15 11:31:36 2005
Ian Dykins Llantwit Major
In 1985, Geoff Capes lifting a milk float on West Shore. He was big.
Mon Nov 14 12:55:00 2005
Dave 'Cheato' Cheatham, Rhos
Jocky Wilson, the tubby Scottish arrer thrower once played an exhibition match at Langtry's.
My stepfather, Alan Camsell, a regular visitor to this website, beat him finishing with a 133 check-out.
I think it was the proudest moment of his life!
Thu Nov 10 16:02:44 2005
Geraint Morgan from Llandudno
On May the Ist 1904, Colonel Cody and his entourage arrive by train in Llandudno. Colonel Cody is more popularly known as Buffalo Bill. The show was put on at the Council field with many nationalities making up the show, including Arabs and Japanese.See Llandudno Advertiser 6th May 1904 for full story. The newspaper is on microfilm held at Llandudno Library
Fri May 6 14:10:59 2005
Geraint Morgan From Llandudno
In 1868 Prime Minister William Gladstone, on a visit to Dean Liddell, complained the path around the Orme was so dangerous he had to be blindfolded and led along some of the more difficult sections by the Dean and his family, including Alice, of wonderland fame
Fri Apr 29 11:16:42 2005
Add your comments to this page here:
