Randolph Turpins, Llandudno

Forming part of the visitor centre at the summit of Llandudno’s Great Orme, is Randolph Turpins, a bar named after the famous boxer who bought the “Great Orme Holiday and Sports Centre” (as it was then called) in 1952 and ran it jointly until his untimely suicide in 1966. The bar is an unremarkable largish room in itself in a much larger overall visitor complex (incorporating a gift shop, restaurant, café etc), but could be said to be almost a shrine to his life and boxing career with an extensive collection of old posters, newspaper cuttings, photos etc and framed information boards giving a detailed chronological account of everything you would want to know – and more besides – about his life and career in and out of the boxing ring. High up in one corner an old TV set on silent was showing one of his fights, in black and white of course. There’s a lifesize replica statue of him in fighting pose near the entrance – a fine photo opportunity if you feel so inclined. I took the opportunity of adding to my growing collection of pub memorabilia and assorted crap by paying the princely sum of £ 1 to buy a reproduction Great Orme Holiday and Sports Centre 1953 Coronation Year Souvenir Brochure ( which is actually quite informative and interesting ) together with a photo postcard of the man himself. At the risk of sounding like a Welsh Tourist Board official, the views from the outside seating area are first rate, particularly on a bright and clear day. One doesn’t ordinarily expect real ale to be available in a place like this, but amongst all the keg and lager fonts offering Tetleys Smooth, John Smiths, Carlsberg etc, there are 2 shiny looking stainless steel beer pumps, one of which was in action and serving a reasonable pint of Great Orme Celtica - £ 3.30p. One wouldn’t make a special journey to visit this bar, and it is, of course, only open when the visitor complex as a whole is open (daylight hours effectively) but, whether you’ve walked up to the summit via one of the footpaths as I did, or come up on the tramway, you might understandably want to relax with a pint for a while and take in the views and enjoy the overall experience of being there.

Hilltop bar and café located between the tramway and cable car stations. Dark semi-modern furniture contrasting with the light wall. Boxing themed decor recalling a former owner. Terrace with a fantastic view overlooking Snowdonia. Two Great Orme real ales on handpump - Ynys Mon (£1.75, half) and Celtica - and a couple more of their beers - Bitter and Snowdon Craft Lager - available in keg form.

Forget what the pubs like. Once you're here the pub is a bit irrelevant as the views from here are stunning. If you must know then the pub is alright with a fancy picture of the boxer himself on the floor by the bar and boxing related pictures on the walls and boxing matches on the TV. Adjoins the visitor centre and cafe. However you're really here for the view and for that it gets a 10.