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All the United Kingdom Wales Gwynedd Portmeirion Village

Portmeirion Village

A miniature Italianate fantasy village on the coast of Wales and the set of ITC classic "The Prisoner."

Gwynedd, Wales

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Building in Portmeirion. Top window is fake.   knoflookperser / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Looking down the line of the guest cottages from one of the balconies from a room you can pay to stay in.   kirstenalana / Atlas Obscura User
One of the many walkways down into the main area of Portmeirion, goes under an arched area significant during a visit by The Beatles.   kirstenalana / Atlas Obscura User
Taken in August 2018 on a very murky day   jmorris9979 / Atlas Obscura User
Map   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located on a sprawling estate on the coast of Wales, Portmeirion Village is a miniature Italianate fantasy village, the creation of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who purchased the property in 1925 as a "neglected wilderness." Williams-Ellis spent most of his life designing and building the tiny elaborate Italian-influenced village of his own creation.

The style of buildings ranges from Arts & Crafts to Classical to Baroque, painted in pastel hues, surrounding a reflecting pond and central lawn. Williams-Ellis incorporated architectural ruins and bits of salvaged buildings into his designs, including many disparate styles. Among other things Williams-Ellis called the village his "home for fallen buildings" and the extensive grounds are dotted with follies, sculptures, and ornamental ponds all part of his "light opera" approach to architecture.

Portmeirion Village was made world famous when it was used as the setting for the wonderful 1960s British TV cult classic "The Prisoner," and hosts a Prisoner weekend every year. Visitors can visit for a day trip or stay in various village buildings overnight. For fans of the TV series, opening the curtains in the morning onto the village square is an unforgettable experience.

In 2001 extensive rebuilding of the mansion Castell Deudraeth on the property were completed and opened as a hotel and restaurant.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Eccentric Homes Follies And Grottoes Outsider Architecture Film Locations Television Miniatures Places To Stay Architecture Homes

Know Before You Go

Portmeirion is 1 1/2 miles West of Penrhyndeudraeth on the A487 signposted at Minffordd.

Large parts of the site are wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible, and an accessibility map is available online.

Community Contributors

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lercio

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Blindcolour, jooniur, mbison, kirstenalana...

  • Blindcolour
  • jooniur
  • mbison
  • kirstenalana
  • SEANETTA
  • Collector of Experiences
  • knoflookperser
  • rbenn250
  • jmorris9979
  • dwall2

Published

August 17, 2009

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Sources
  • Portmeirion official web site
  • http://www.portmeirion-village.com/
  • Virtual Guidebook & Map
  • http://www.portmeirion-village.com/content.php?nID=19;lID=1
  • Portmeirion History
  • http://www.portmeirion-history.co.uk/
Portmeirion Village
24 Ninian Road
Portmeirion
Gwynedd, Wales, LL48 6EN
United Kingdom
52.917576, -4.092892
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