"PORTMEIRION - ARCHITECTURAL GEM & CULT LOCATION!" Top 5 Page for this destination Portmeirion by themajor

Portmeirion Travel Guide: 35 reviews and 153 photos

A MODEL VILLAGE YOU CAN LIVE IN! - Portmeirion

"WE WANT INFORMATION...INFORMATION...

Well, actually you CAN have it...and here it is! Portmeirion was the design fantasy of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis that blossomed between 1925 and 1975 into architectural reality. Drawing upon a variety of styles and a pool of colours, this eccentric genius incorporated romantic remnants of demolished buildings into the fabric of his 'new' creations. This village is like no other you'll ever come across. For starters it is built to a slightly smaller and oddly more 'human' scale and although the cottages are all real and the exquisite little shops open for business, nobody actually lives there. People staff it and tourists throng to it but hotel guests are the only residents Portmeirion allows. At night the gates are shut and paying guests are free to roam through their own private dreamland. It's wonderfully romantic and would be a splendid base from which to explore North Wales. Of course, you could just sit back and take in the stunning views,the woodland walks or the beautiful bay. Then again you could join those who are drawn here by the chance to indulge in a bit of virtual reality...

WILLING PRISONERS!

THE SYMBOL OF 'THE VILLAGE'

The virtual reality to which I refer is of course the cult 60s TV series, 'The Prisoner'. The series really was a child of the Sixties in everything from it's storyline to it's design. A quirky combination of Kafka and Mary Quant, it told the strange story of a secret agent who resigns his post and awakens to find himself incarcerated within the boundaries of a strange community. Their neatly blazered leaders and his brainwashed fellow villagers are keen to sacrifice their principles in order to discover what happened to his. And let's not forget 'Rover', the giant marauding bubble that rose from the depths to smother any rebellious miscreant that blocked it's master's path. Confused? Of course! We all were but at the end of the day it was great thought provoking entertainment. The star of the show was Patrick McGoohan but the all pervading memory is that of The Village itself - Portmeirion! So what could be better for any fan of the series than the chance to stay as a guest INSIDE the television programme? But this time of course you ARE allowed to leave. (and frankly, you couldn't afford to stay for too long anyway!)

THE CHOICE IS YOURS...

PATRICK MCGOOHAN - THE PRISONER IN PERSON!

So there we have it. Two distinct types of holiday in the same resort - neither mutually exclusive and both enjoyable. Frankly, if you've never seen the series you really ought to buy the DVDs and take a peek before you come - it will increase your appreciation of this beautiful place. Those purely with relaxation in mind should check the web to ensure you sidestep the occasional fan convention that meets there - and all should be aware that Portmeirion is particularly popular for weddings the weekends.

"Be seeing you!"

Pros and Cons

Pros:Perfect base for luxury laden sightseeing
Cons:A delight at night but open to all comers during the day!
In a nutshell:A rare-bit of Wales (sorry about the pun!)

Last visit to Portmeirion: May 2004
Intro Updated Jun 29, 2005
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Reviews (3)

THE PERFECT VESSEL FOR SUFFERERS OF SEASICKNESS - Portmeirion

BOAT TRIPS - HOW TO GET THAT SINKING... Transportation (1)

It certainly looks inviting doesn't it? Moored just outside the hotel, on the edge of the beautiful bay you come across... more travel advice

BRITISH ECCENTRICS AT PLAY - Portmeirion

PLAYING WITH BALLS! Local Customs (1)

Well, you could be forgiven for thinking that the photograph accompanying this tip is somewhat, 'er, odd. I mean, what... more travel advice

CELTIC COMFORT...AT A PRICE! Hotels (1)

The first question to ask when you book is...am I actually staying at this hotel? No, it doesn't specialise in... more travel advice

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Comments (29)

Manara Apr 28, 2010 at 8:31 AM Report Abuse

I remember "The Prisoner"! the blazer was the thing I liked most.
footstool Nov 17, 2008 at 10:07 PM Report Abuse

I say Major, when are high and low seasons? Does 6 of 9, or other eccentric group, still exist, and when do they have get-togethers? Can I stay at a "private" villa and wear a jaunty blazer, like No. 6? Just the 2 of us AMerican eccentrics in their 40s.
hunterV Aug 29, 2008 at 10:27 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Nick! Thanks! It was interesting to read about the way the Eccentrics relax...
BillNJ Jul 14, 2008 at 6:53 AM Report Abuse

Great page! "The Prisoner" with Patrick McGoohan was a very original and thought-provoking show. Someday, I would like to visit Wales to see both the Village -- and Tom Jones in concert. Cheers, Bill
nickandchris Apr 21, 2008 at 7:08 AM Report Abuse

Great page, great reading!
TheWanderingCamel Sep 11, 2007 at 6:07 PM Report Abuse

So that's where the website got its name. I can see I'm going to have to make the trek to North Wales , I've long been intrigued by this place, never realised it was slightly hobbit-sized but that explains some things. leyle
craic Jul 21, 2007 at 1:24 PM Report Abuse

so this is the prisoner place - brilliant!
DEBBBEDB Feb 23, 2007 at 7:52 AM Report Abuse

I guess the people dressing up as in The Prisoner is no more eccentric than the Star Wars people who don't even have a beautiful place like this to go to
willy_wonka Feb 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM Report Abuse

i be seeing pirates on board the amis reunis!!!
gilabrand Feb 2, 2006 at 1:12 AM Report Abuse

It takes a village, as they say. LOL