Brilliant Day & Another Bucket List Item

Long a ‘Bucket List’ item for Mrs S and I, we were not disappointed, Portmerion Village has to be seen to be believed. They say that a picture is worth a thousand and the 150+ I took over the course of forty-eight hours will be a reminder but they don’t seem to do it justice either.

Part of Mrs S birthday gift this year the trip was to be enjoyed by both of us and a bit of a lift in spirit from the last couple of days.

On a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is now one of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations.
Portmeirion Village is well known as the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner and although there are hints of the series about aside from a Patrick McGoohan bust and ‘The Prisoner Shop’ there is little else to remind you - but that doesn’t detract from the experience.
Portmerion comprises a cluster of colour-washed buildings around a central piazza, scenic surroundings and extensive woodlands, two hotels, historic cottages, gift shops, spa & award winning restaurants.
The concept of a tightly grouped coastal village had been envisaged by Clough Williams-Ellis years before he found the site, close to his own home in North Wales.
Portmeirion has become known as one of the most successful British architectural projects of the twentieth century. With his eco-friendly approach, he designed his architectural vision around a Mediterranean piazza. Endangered buildings and unwanted artefacts from all over the globe were transported and rebuilt to create a nest of loggias, grand porticoes and tiny terracotta-roofed houses, painted in bright colours. 
The village was built over two phases, 1926 - 1939 and 1954 - 1976 by which time Clough was well into his 90s. Most buildings were designed and built by Clough but a few were transported from elsewhere such as the Town Hall, the Bristol Colonnade, and the facade of the Dome, originally the upper part of a Norman Shaw fireplace.

The camper van pitch and facilities are amongst the best I have experienced. The whole two days amongst the best I’ve shared with Mrs S.

I have ‘Blipped’ a montage, it is difficult to select just one photograph that represents Portmerion and I’m loathe to use my ‘allowance’ of extras to try and do it justice.