Portmeirion, Gwynedd

Portmeirion is one of the premier visitor attractions in Wales. It is situated just outside Porthmadog, overlooking the sea. Best known as the set of Patrick McGoohan’s “The Prisoner” TV series, it is also a mid-priced hotel complex. Visitors can enter the Village area daily on payment of a fee.
Portmeirion was originally developed by architect Clough Williams-Ellis to demonstrate that commercial development to re-vitalise an estate could be carried out without ugly over-development. The quaint Italianate ‘Village’ occupies a quite small part of the estate. The buildings and terraces incorporate bits of architectural salvage, obtained cheaply by Williams-Ellis in the days when any old and surplus building could be summarily knocked down. Many of his structures are just one room deep or are painted with ‘tromp d’oeil’ effects.
There are the usual facilities of a large visitor attraction. There is a ‘land train’ to encourage visitors to get out of the village and explore the miles of paths and the grounds with their lakes and sub-tropical plants.
The ‘Village’ buildings form part of the hotel room and self-catering accommodation. There is also the shore hotel and Castell Deudraeth hotel, which you may glimpse as you drive in.
Portmeirion has its own website.