476. Portmeirion

What is Portmeirion?

Portmeirion is a coastal village in North Wales that was created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis. He acquired the land in 1925 and created Italian-style buildings on the steep cliffs overlooking a wide sandy estuary. 

What is Portmeirion like? 

It's completely bonkers. The quirky houses in their bright colours give the impression of something that is halfway between a model village (albeit a life-sized one) and a film set for a slightly sinister movie. 

Where is Portmeirion? 

Wales

When did we go? 

June 2022

How did we get to Portmeirion? 

It was part of a weekend road trip with my friends SJ and Steph. I went by train from London to Bangor, then hired a car to drive around Snowdonia (161). I also went to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway (369). 

Worth noting

In 1966-67, a TV show called The Prisoner was filmed in Portmeirion. It starred Patrick McGoohan as a retired intelligence agent who gets kidnapped and held in a mystery village where everyone is known by a number. Portmeirion was never actually named in the series, to prevent hordes of tourists descending on the place but even 50 years later the location is still remembered for its role in the production (and there's a bust of McGoohan). Portmeirion is also famous for its pottery. Portmeirion Pottery began in 1960 when Susan Williams-Ellis (daughter of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis) took over two pottery companies in Stoke-on-Trent and produced several distinctive ranges.

Where was Portmeirion on the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist? 

It was at 207 in the 2015 list. It dropped 269 places.

Does Portmeirion deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Top 500? 

Yes. 

Portmeirion

Portmeirion Lonely Planet 500