Feel the sand under your feet and gaze upon acres of beautifully planted gardens in this tiny village that nobody actually lives in
A charming little village that boasts sub-tropical gardens and an authentic Italian gelateria has been named one of the best travel destinations in the UK.
Portmeirion in Wales welcomes 200,000 visitors every year and sits on the estuary of the River Dwyryd, just two miles from Porthmadog and a mile away from Minffordd railway station.
Built between 1925 and 1976 by visionary Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, the folly tourist village needs a ticket to enter and boasts an array of attractions, including its colourful buildings that look as though they could belong anywhere in mainland Europe.
There are plenty of gorgeous gardens to lose yourself in, twisting pathways and surreal sights as the vision of Williams-Ellis – a pioneering architect who wanted to prove how to develop a naturally beautiful site without ruining it – comes to life.
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And it came third in a recent Which? survey, which asked holidaymakers for their favourite seaside destinations in the UK. Portmeirion scored an impressive five out of five stars for its waterfront, tourist attractions and scenery, and four stars for its beach and parking facilities.
The average cost of one night’s stay in Portmeirion, according to Which?, is £143. The village has two hotels: The Hotel Portmeirion and Castell Deudraeth, which serves lunch and dinner and has a separate mouth-watering menu for Sunday lunch.
The Hotel Portmeirion’s terrace overlooking the Dwyryd estuary is open for walk-ins for lunch, or can be booked in advance for a traditional Sunday lunch. Alternatively, book yourself in for a delicious afternoon tea between 2.30 and 3.30pm on weekdays and Saturdays for a posh treat while enjoying the Riviera views.
Or you could pack yourself a picnic and wander down to the beach to watch the tides roll in and out by the estuary. At low tide you can even squelch through the wet sand and take in the beautiful views of the sun glinting off the water.
And fans of the 1960s cult classic TV show The Prisoner will love spotting the buildings and landmarks that appeared in the 17-episode series. There’s even The Prisoner Shop where you can pick up a themed souvenir.
“The whole village is a magical and quite surreal architectural gem,” says one TripAdvisor reviewer. “Allow a minimum of 3-4 hours to enjoy the full experience, which is well worth the entrance fee.”
Another frequent visitor to Portmeirion writes: “Gardens are also a delight, the horticulture on show is great, the walks through woodland areas and coastal path should also be experienced.”
They go on: “If you can manage it, venture along the steeper paths along the boundary to reach outstanding views, very peaceful along the way. It’s not just a summer attraction, we’d also recommend visiting outside of the summer period.”
However, one rule to be aware of – that has caught some visitors out before – is that the entire village is dog-free, apart from guide and assistance dogs. That being said, some reviewers have praised the cleanliness of the village thanks to the lack of dog mess.
Entry costs £20 per adult, £13 for a child aged between five and 15, and £17.50 for concessions. Children aged under five can enter for free, and parking is included in the cost of your day ticket.