While Brits seeking a perfect getaway often think of exotic distant destinations, there’s a hidden gem right on our shores. Portmeirion, located along the Dwyryd Estuary in North Wales, defies typical UK coastal expectations.
Visit this village and you might think you’ve arrived in Italy, with its stunning Mediterranean-style buildings, sunny beaches, and quaint shops. And (arguably) the best part?
It is said to have some of the UK’s most affordable fish and chips. Data from last year indicates visitors usually spend only £8.57 on this popular dish, as reported by Capital on Tap.
This ranked the coastal gem as the third most affordable for fish and chips, only behind Southwold in Suffolk and New Brighton in Wirral. Beyond this, Portmeirion has also gained significant attention online.
Influencer Meera Pankhania is among those captivated by its unique beauty. “My boyfriend and I were meant to go to Portugal that weekend but as it went on Amber list, we visited here as an alternative and then climbed Mount Snowdon,” she said in a previous TikTok, as per the Mirror.
“We stayed there for two days and while I’ve never visited Italy myself, I felt like I was in Lake Como. To arrive at the place, you travel through some beautiful roads and beautiful scenery.”
The beautiful village was also the spot where cult UK TV classic The Prisoner was filmed. Nestled in Gwynedd’s heart, the charming village of Portmeirion was created by visionary architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who spent 50 years developing the site after acquiring the land in 1925.
Today, the village features a notable collection of nationally important listed buildings, including the impressive Grade I Listed Portmeirion Town Hall, constructed in 1938. However, you might be surprised to discover that Portmeirion has no permanent residents, as its main purpose is serving tourists and holidaymakers.
The village follows a set schedule, typically welcoming visitors daily from 9.30am to 6.30pm, seven days a week, during the peak summer season.
Aside from its impressive infrastructure and affordable chip shop prices, tourists also rave about Portmeirion’s afternoon teas. Last year, one visitor took to TripAdvisor to share their thoughts on this, writing: “The best afternoon tea in the world, in the one of the nicest places. The village is stunning and we really made the most of it, being amongst the last to leave.
“We had afternoon tea in the hotel, which was absolutely delicious.” Meanwhile, another added: “There is no other place in England like this, it is so SO unique and amazing.
“If you only visit ONE place before you die, hopefully not just yet! then come here. It is SO lovely! We spent hours here, we did have afternoon tea here and if the weather had been better and we could have gone on the coastal and woodland walks, we would happily have stayed from opening to closing time.”
So, it appears that Portmeirion could be the ideal choice for anyone looking for an affordable beach getaway this summer.