Enchanting UK village with sub-tropical gardens ‘feels like Italy’ | Travel News | Travel

Next time you’re considering booking a staycation, you may wish to heed the advice of a travel content creator who claims to have found an idyllic location that will make you “feel like you’re in Italy”.

Following her trip to the destination, Amy Hulley said the enchanting British village is well worthy of your holiday “bucket list” as she took to Instagram to share an insight with her followers. “For a moment I genuinely forgot I was in the UK,” she admitted in a video.

Tourists can pay an entrance fee to visit the village for the day, or stay over in one of its quaint hotels and cottages. The location? Portmeirion in Gwynned, North Wales on the boundary of Snowdonia National Park.

She continued: “Pastel buildings. Arches and domes. Palm trees overlooking the water. It felt Mediterranean, almost cinematic.” Amy revealed her visit coincided with a steampunk event, with costumes and music only adding to the “fun atmosphere”.

Commenting on the village’s sub-tropical gardens and stunning architecture, Amy explained: “Sir Clough Williams-Ellis began creating it in 1925 to prove that colourful, theatrical design could sit beautifully within nature rather than damage it. Every building was carefully positioned to frame the estuary and protect the woodland around it.”

Writing in response, a previous visitor declared: “A wonderful place to visit, a little expensive but worth it!” A second person confessed: “Wow I can’t believe this is in the UK, Amy. Stunning Italian vibes.”

A third declared: “Can’t wait to visit here! So picturesque.” While a fourth Instagram user exclaimed: “This is beautiful, it’s definitely on my bucket list now.”

Meanwhile, Portmeirion’s tourism website proudly promotes: “Experience the magic of staying in Portmeirion. See the dawn break over the mountains of Meirionnydd; watch the tide fill the Dwyryd estuary from shore to shore.

“Stay in one of two luxury 4-star hotels or in a suite in the middle of the village. Portmeirion also offers self-catering accommodation on the picturesque North Wales coast. Situated on the southern flank of its own private peninsula, Portmeirion is a place apart.”

The village also boasts several cafes as well as an Italian-style gelateria serving authentic home-made gelato. “There are three shops in the village The Prisoner Shop with souvenirs of the famous series filmed here in 1966-67, the Rob Piercy Gallery and The Ship Shop with gifts, toys, housewares and Portmeirion Pottery best-ware, Portmeirion Pottery seconds as well as preserves, wines, and confectioneries,” the website adds.

It also provides the backdrop for the 1960’s cult classic series, The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan. “It was probably one of the most influential pieces of television of the 1960’s not only in the UK and USA, but also in France, Australia, and many other countries,” according to the site.

The website adds: “The series is rich in imagery and visual impact. The surreal architecture of the village with its Mediterranean atmosphere coupled with the high-tech interiors, tannoys, surveillance cameras and piped music create a bizarre combination.”

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