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Adventures in Portmeirion in North Wales

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis is the visionary, designer and Welsh architect who built the Italian village of Portmeirion in North Wales. It took over 50 years (1925 to 1976) to build this exquisite Italian looking village on a naturally beautiful site. Today, Portmeirion in North Wales, attractions over 200,000 visitors a year and offers complimentary guided tours.

Portmeiron in North Wales is home to two very stylish hotels, Castell Deudraeth and the Hotel Portmeirion. Clough bought this land for around £5,000 so he could build his vision of Mediterranean houses donned with beautiful turquoise blinds. No one can blame him for trying to emulate an Italian coastal village of Portofino.

Our adventures to Portmeirion in North Wales came about thanks to Ganolfan who invited us for a weekend stay. We had the pleasure of staying in their luxurious bunkhouse located in the small village of Y Fron in Snowdonia. In this article, we will share our adventures in Portmeirion in North Wales only. In later articles, we will share a review of the luxury bunkhouse we stayed at.

Adventures in Portmeirion in North Wales

Portmeirion is located 45 minutes drive from the small village of Y Fron in North Wales. There is parking here to the village and free parking at Castell Deudraeth and then a 10-minute walk down. You’re required to pay a fee at the entrace, a map is provided of the entire estate.

The entire village of Portmeirion is listed as a Grade II building, meaning the building of special interest and should be preserved. Portmeirion has various types of accommodation, the two 4* hotels aforementioned, village rooms and self-catering cottages. Should you wish to stay at this stylish Italian inspired coast village then you will not be disappointed.

Portmeirion in North Wales offers more than just the views and 
Mediterranean houses with beautiful turquoise blinds. There is so much to do around the village, walks were one of our favourite things to do. During the summer months, there a little Portmeirion train goes on a tour of the village. What we loved during our walks was stumbling upon the Chinese Lake with gorgeous autumnal flowers.

Navigating Portmeirion in North Wales

When we arrived at Portmeirion in North Wales, we knew we wanted to walk the entire grounds. It took us just over an hour to complete the entire estate not including visiting the Dogs cemetery. There are other exquisite areas that we would have loved to spend more checking out but time wasn’t on our side.

Upon arriving we paid for our visit and walked through to Clifftop & Chantry Row offers spectacular views of the Estuary. We loved that this area had a small but beautiful Dom which we spent every waking moment staring at. Then we proceeded over to the Battery-Square where the Mermaid Spa is located. We had such an incredible opportunity to admire the views from the Mermaid Spa. 

Leaving the Battery-Square where the Campanile Bell Tower is located, we moved to central piazza. The area features a fountain pool, Gloriette, Gothic Pavilion, the Bristol Colonnade and the giant chessboard. Most of these were closed off to preserve during the colder autumn/winter weather. 

We then spent some time checking out the hotel before proceeding to the Observatory Tower. The views from the hotel and the coast path was absolutely breathtaking. The walk around the grounds took us back to the Triumphal Arch and onto the central piazza.

It was such a beautiful autumnal day and I got to do things that I love about Autumn. I definitely recommend visiting during Spring or Autumn as summer is super busy/expensive and winter is too cold.

Sir Clough Williams-Ellis is the visionary, designer and Welsh architect who built the Italian village of Portmeirion in North Wales. It took over 50 years (1925 to 1976) to build this exquisite Italian looking village on a naturally beautiful site. Today, Portmeirion in North Wales, attractions over 200,000 visitors a year and offers complimentary guided tours.

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Comments

  6. Andrea says

    Wow – what a beautiful spot to visit! I have been making a bucket list of places to visit, and am definitely adding this one to my list. Thanks for the great photos!

    Reply

  9. Kirsty says

    From the colours and styles of the buildings I wouldn’t have said this was north wales but more scandivian! The estuary looks beautiful to walk around.

    Reply

  17. Anne Fraser says

    I love Port Merion. There are lovely forest walks down to the beach as well. Do you know Port Merion pottery? My favourite is the botanical collection which was designed by Gough’s daughter.

    Reply

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