Portmeirion

Portmeirion, in Gwynedd, Wales, just south of Snowdonia National Park is a small village created in a ravine built by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1973. It is a collection of colourful architectural oddities in a fantastic Mediterranean style set in a stunning Welsh landscape. Most people will have learned of the site from the 1967 trippy, quirky and disturbing television show “The Prisoner” as it was filmed here.

Note that Portmeirion is a very popular place with tourists and can get very busy so try to visit in off-times if you want to truly appreciate the incredible site.

A ticket must be purchased to enter the site with plenty of (free) parking available near the entrance though you can also walk into the village from the nearby (1.5 miles) Minffordd train station. When driving the signage is good but not great so look for the train station as the road leading to Portmeirion is (roughly) opposite. The nearest big(ish) town is Porthmadog, a short drive from Portmeirion where there are several hotels and is worthwhile visiting by itself.

The site is not terribly accessible for mobility challenged visitors with narrow paths, and steep roads. There are a number of places to eat, there are toilets and a number of shops including one devoted to “The Prisoner” television series. Portmeirion pottery is available for purchase in the wonderful shops as well (it is also used in the various restaurants) though it is not made anywhere nearby but rather 100 miles away in Stoke-on-Trent.

You cannot enter any of the buildings except those that are shops or restaurants but you can wander and appreciate the grounds. There are also a good number of walking trails through the surrounding woodland which are well worth your time including taking in a dog cemetery and various garden buildings. On the extreme edges of the site there are amazing views of the estuary. With a sub-tropical climate the grounds are amazing in the spring and summer.

You can stay in the “Hotel Portmeirion” or you can stay in many of the buildings on site. Be aware that the buildings are much smaller to stay in than they appear on the outside though most sleep between 2 and 4 people. A relatively new option is “hotel space” in the village itself which overlooks the estuary. On site accommodation, as you might appreciate, is quite expensive but the joy of walking through the village after the visitors have left must be amazing. If you stay in the village entrance is free and there is also private parking.