Day Out in Portmeirion

The famous village of Portmeirion is a great place to visit when you’re in North Wales. Originally designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion emulates a traditional Italian village. It’s appeared on the big screen on numerous occasions, and is perhaps best known for its starring role in the 1960s TV show The Prisoner. The village is only an hour away from Llandudno, so it’s easily accessible from both the Marine Hotel and the County Hotel.

We highly recommend taking a day trip to Portmeirion to explore all it’s hidden gems. Not only is Portmeirion a beautiful place to get lost in, it’s also full of great activities and attractions to enjoy. There are stunning botanical gardens, award-winning restaurants, independent shops and of course there’s an authentic Italian gelateria too.

If you’re heading to North Wales soon, Portmeirion is well worth the trip. Here are a few of our top tips for an idyllic day out in Portmeirion.

View from Llechollwyn

Walk through the streets of Portmeirion and you’ll get a sense of this amazing village, but to really see it in all its glory you’ll need to get to a good vantage point. For this, we recommend you head to Llechollwyn.

As soon as you arrive in Llechollwyn you’ll notice the colours of Portmeirion drawing your eye from the other side of the Dwyryd estuary. From this side of the water, you can see the whole village emerging from the trees that surround it.

The sight of Portmeirion’s pastel buildings standing proud against its stunning natural surroundings really is incredible, and it’s so easy to incorporate a stop here into your day out in the village. If you’re a budding photographer, this is the place to go to capture the essence of Portmeirion.

Central Piazza

Once you’ve arrived at Portmeirion, make your way to the Central Piazza to see what this place is all about. Here you’ll see an amazing ornamental garden, complete with giant chess set and bell tower. This is the centrepiece of the private village, and it really is an explosion of the bright, bold colours that Portmeirion is known for. 

At the heart of the Central Piazza is a beautiful fountain of crystal clear waters. This is the perfect place to unwind and soak up the atmosphere of this otherworldly village. It’s got to be our favourite spot to unwind in Portmeirion – take your time and amble around at leisure.

Quayside

Portmeirion was always intended to be a tourist destination, and it’s certainly lived up to those aspirations. As the village was built with its visitors in mind, it offers plenty of quirky attractions that guests of any age will enjoy.

At the Quayside, there’s a whole host of fun things for kids to explore. The famous stone boat, known as Amis Reunis, is perfect for pirate games, and there’s even a heated pool that visitors can swim in during the summer months.

Battery Square

Continue on your journey through Portmeirion and you’ll soon find yourself in Battery Square. This is the go to destination for fans of The Prisoner, because this is where you’ll find the home of Number Six. The building itself is now a shop selling memorabilia, so you can take home a few souvenirs of your Portmeirion experience.

As well as shopping, there are some lovely cafes in Battery Square. We can never resist stopping for a cup of coffee at one of the outdoor tables on the square; it’s such a beautiful place to kick back and relax. And if you’re in the mood for real indulgence, you can even pop into the Mermaid Spa for a self care treat!

Gwyllt Woodland

Portmeirion is well known for its ornamental gardens, but it’s also home to another amazing feat of landscaping: Gwyllt Woodland. This woodland is spread over 10 hectares, and was originally designed as an Edwardian wild garden. It’s home to a huge variety of exotic plants, as well as Himalayan flowering trees which bring incredible bursts of colour to the scenery here.

There are several different paths designed to take visitors on a tour of these wild woodlands, so you needn’t worry about getting lost on your adventure. Take a path and see what you find amongst the native oak. There’s a huge collection of rhododendrons, as well as conifers, azaleas, magnolia and camellias growing naturally throughout the woodland. We highly recommend taking a stroll through Gwyllt Woodland to explore what is a truly unique corner of North Wales.

Castell Deudraeth Mansion

Castell Deudraeth Mansion may look like the home of royalty, but it wasn’t always this way. The original building dates back to the 18th Century, but it was expanded and renamed by a Member of Parliament, David Williams, in the Victorian era.

No longer a private residence, the castle has since been transformed into a hotel with a bar and brasserie that are both open to the public. Stop by on your way out of Portmeirion and enjoy a meal in the conservatory, where the hotel chefs serve a contemporary menu of local favourites throughout the week. They also do a delicious roast on a Sunday.

Where to Stay

The village of Portmeirion is just an hour’s drive from Llandudno, where you’ll find our Marine and County hotels. No matter which hotel you choose to stay at, you’ll easily be able to arrange a day out to this quintessential village.

Both the Marine and County hotels are ideally located in the heart of Llandudno. Whichever one you choose, you’ll be treated to cosy, comforting accommodation and all the amenities you’ll need for a relaxing stay.

We’re always available to offer assistance throughout your stay, so if you need any help planning a day trip to Portmeirion, or you’d like some advice on the best way to make your arrangements, get in touch with us. We’ve all got plenty of tips on what to see and do in Portmeirion, and we can help you with everything from arranging transport to booking your tickets. Contact our team and we’ll do the rest.