PORTMEIRION
Surprising Portmeirion
Most people probably do a little research before visiting Portmeirion and so have some idea of what they are going to see before they get there. I didn’t! I knew Portmeirion is just down the road but we first moved here, we were so busy that I hadn’t given Portmeirion a minute’s thought. It was only when a good friend was visiting and wanted to see the village that I decided it was about time I went there myself. I have no idea why, but I thought that I was about to tour an historic little hamlet with quaint little cottages. You can imagine my surprise when I walked into an Italian lakeside village which happened to be just a few minutes from my home in North Wales!
Portmeirion is unique and just a little bit crazy. Built in the style of an Italian lakeside village, it shouldn’t work but it really does. The colourful architecture set into the hillside looks simply stunning and the profusion of flowers in summer are a joy to behold. There are several interesting little shops to explore and numerous cafe’s and restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious coffee, indulgent cake or tasty ice cream. I love strolling down to the waterfront where the views are spectacular and there are several walking trails through the gardens and woodland, one of which leads to a gorgeous cove with a beautiful sandy beach.
The village also features a waterfront hotel with a restaurant and then there’s Castle Deudreath at the entrance which houses another hotel and an excellent restaurant. Portmeirion hosts a number of events throughout the year including Festival Number 6 offering a feast of music over four days in September. There’s plenty to enjoy at Portmeirion! I have invested in an annual pass so that I can visit whenever I like!
The Portmeirion website provides detailed information about the shops, restaurants and events at the village.
AMAZING VIEWS, GREAT SHOPS AND WONDERFUL CAFES
The History of Portmeirion
When I first visited the village I was keen to find out how on earth it came to be there! I soon discovered that it was the result of one man’s vision and his determination to make it a reality.
Portmeirion was built by the Welsh architect Clough William-Ellis. He had been searching for somewhere to build his ideal village for some time when the Aber Iâ estate near Penrhyndeudraeth was put up for sale. William-Ellis purchased the estate and set about demonstrating that the stunning location could be developed without spoiling it. He believed that sympathetic development could enhance rather than detract from the natural beauty of the setting. The steep cliffs, picturesque estuary, woodland and streams provided the perfect location for his architectural experiment.
Construction began in 1925 and the last building was completed in 1973. Clough WiLliam-Ellis created a captivating destination with a variety of attractions which is quite unlike anywhere else in the country.
Directions
From the Woollen Mill, head south on the A487 towards Porthmadog. You will eventually arrive at a roundabout just outside Porthmadog where you will see a sign for Portmeirion. Turn right here and the entrance to the village is a mile up this road on the left. There is a large car in which there are almost always plenty of spaces. Parking is free but there is an entrance fee for the village. At the time of writing this is £12 and an annual pass is £25.
Dogs
Sadly, dogs are not permitted to enter any area of Portmeirion including the driveway and car park. This is such a shame because dogs would really enjoy the place, especially the wonderful woodland trails and beaches.
The Prisoner
The Prisoner was an iconic British television series which was first broadcast in 1967. The 17-episode show followed a former secret agent played by Patrick McGoohan, who was abducted and imprisoned in a strange coastal village. The unnamed agent finds himself in a surreal environment in which people have numbers instead of names but appear to be going about their day to day lives peacefully. Nobody knows who are prisoners and who are guards and therefore who they can trust. Those who attempt to escape are either captured or destroyed by a device called Rover. McGoohan’s character was known as Number Six and was subjected to to a variety of extreme measures in an attempt to extract information from him. The series was filmed at Portmeirion and the village was one of the inspirations for the show.
