Tucked away on the coast of northern Wales is the town of Portmeirion, an eye-catching village with a colorful, whimsical design. How did such a place—which looks like it belongs in Italy, rather than Britain—come to exist?
A weekend trip to Portmeirion in North Wales. This eccentric little village was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the style of an Italian Village.
Portmeirion has become known as one of the most successful British architectural projects of the twentieth century. Using an eco-friendly approach, he designed his architectural vision around a Mediterranean piazza.
Whilst some have speculated that his design was based on the famous and exclusive fishing village of Portofino on the Italian coastline, Sir Williams-Ellis was said to have simply wanted to capture the atmosphere of the Mediterranean, which he accomplished in fabulous style.
Why this Italian town is hidden in Wales, Portmeirion history.
Which Italian town was the Welsh village of Portmeirion inspired by?
He did, however, draw on a love of the Italian village stating, "How should I not have fallen for Portofino? Indeed, its image remained with me as an almost perfect example of the man-made adornment and use of an exquisite site." Williams-Ellis designed and constructed the village between 1925 and 1975.
History of Portmeirion. The beautiful Portmeirion Village was built by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1973. "Clough hoped that his work at Portmeirion would inspire others." In 1925, Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the site which was to become Portmeirion.
Portmeirion village boasts a wide array of accommodation types, from the Flagship Hotel Portmeirion to Self-Catering Cottages, Castell Deudraeth and the Village accommodation itself (Doubles, Suites and Family Suites), there's a room for everybody here at Portmeirion.
Now, Portmeirion is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Wales (if not the UK), and it's full of great stuff to do too. For everything from fishing village tours to ancient railways and perfect spots for a pint, check out our list of the best things to do in Portmeirion.
It's Bedford, in case you're wondering. Whole villages of men from southern Italy were press-ganged into working for the London Brick Company there and brought a little bit of home in their food, hairdressing techniques and penchant for unreliable but exotic looking motors to Bedfordshire.
In the years after the war there was a renewed burst of Italian immigration. Now they came to plug the gaps in British industry. They worked in industries such as mining, tin plating and in agriculture.
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Llanymynech is a village and former civil parish straddling the border between Montgomeryshire/Powys, Wales, and Shropshire, England, about 9 miles (14 km) north of the Welsh town of Welshpool.
Wales and France have some similar geographical features. Both countries have mountainous regions, rivers, beaches, vast countryside and bustling cities. They also both have hundreds of castles.
Wales is on the island of Great Britain, to the west of England, and covers an area of 20,782 square kilometres (8,024 square miles). That's around half the size of the Netherlands, a similar size to Slovenia and slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey.
Carmarthen is the oldest town in Wales and according to legend, is the birthplace of Merlin, the wizard of Arthurian folklore. A fine wooden carving of Merlin is situated on Merlin's walk. It was the further west outpost of the Romans in Britain and the river was an important trading route.
Borgo Egnazia is castle-like and candle-lit, built in imitation of a traditional village (borgo) but with luxurious add-ons, including a Michelin-starred restaurant, championship golf course, two beach clubs with private beaches – one sandy, one pebbly – and a knock-out spa that bases its treatments on ancient Puglian ...
It has been used on numerous occasions for a TV and film location, for example – KIPPS (1941), DANGER MAN (1959), THE GREEN HELMET (1961), DOCTOR WHO (1976), CITIZEN SMITH (1980), BRIDESHEAD REVISITED (1981), TREASURE HUNT (1984), THE TRIPODS (1985), TOP GEAR (1987), THE LAUGHING PRISONER (1987), UNDER SUSPICION (1992) ...
Swimming is not recommended, as the currents can be deceptively strong. If you do venture out into the sea, be sure to take care. Why not make a weekend of it, visiting Portmeirion Village one day, and the beach the next?
In fact, Portmeirion potteries continues to manufacture Susan's designs as well as others in the same factory in Stoke-on-Trent to this very day. The 1970's saw the birth of what is considered by many to be Portmeirion's most recognised design, Botanic Garden.
The travel experts at The Telegraph have named the 19 most beautiful seaside towns and villages in the UK, with Portmeirion coming fourth. The popular holiday resort, steeped in history and architecture, is the only village included in the list which doesn't have any permanent residents.
Famous inhabitants and guests over the years include Noel Coward, Brian Epstein (who lived in the Gatehouse for seven years), Jools Holland and George Harrison.
Portmeirion Potteries produce pottery that is sold around the world, but its spiritual home is Portmeirion Village in North Wales. "A significant force in the homewares industry."
