If you’re looking for a place to visit in the UK with distinct Italian vibes, then look no further than one stunning spot in Wales. Portmeirion village, sittuated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, combines Italian Riviera with rural Wales and looks like something straight out of a film set.
Bursting with colour and stunning architectural style, the village in north Wales was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and is known as one of the most impressive British architectural projects of the twentieth century. Designed in the style of a coastal Mediterranean piazza, it’s well worth a visit. However, there’s a catch – you need to pay to enter.
The village was constructed using endangered buildings and unwanted artefacts from all over the world, which were transported to Wales and rebuilt to create this colourful slice of the Med right here in the UK.
Posting a video of the painted archways and cobbled streets on TikTok, UK Hidden Gems said you ‘won’t believe’ this place is in Britain, commenting: “This colourful village feels like stepping onto a film set, with pastel houses, cobbled lanes, and lush gardens framed by stunning views over the estuary.”
As well as the charming main square of the village, which features a fountain pool, a Gothic pavillion and even a giant chessboard, there’s also the Y Gwyllt Woodlands – an impressive 70 acres of stunning natural beauty.
Here, you’ll find gorgeous walking paths that stretch for 20 miles, taking you past some interesting features such as a Dog Cemetery, Ghost Garden, and a tranquil Chinese lake.
Theres also a hilltop gazebo with an impressive viewing deck where guests can enjoy panoramic vistas of the village and estuary down below.
Whether you want to visit for the day or stay for longer, Portmeirion should be added to your travel bucket list immediately. There are several accommodation options, including the four-star Hotel Portmeirion, the spacious and stylish Castell Deudraeth and self-catering cottages too.
If you want to visit Portmeirion for the day, it’s open from 9.30am until 6.30pm during the main season, and tickets can be booked online. It’ll cost £20 for adults, with seniors and students costing £17.50 and children aged 5-15 costing £13. Kids under the age of five can enter for free.
You can also purchase annual memberships, or if you’ve booked a three-course lunch at Castell Deudraeth, you can enter the village for free after your meal.