What's the attraction?

An Italianate village with beautiful buildings and adventure gardens built by Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1975.

What's on offer?

You can visit the village by day or stay at the hotel, with rooms in cottages in the village. Susan Williams-Ellis-designed Portmeirion pottery on display in the village. This was also the setting for the cult 60s Prisoner TV series. The village is built on the beach and there is an outside swimming pool by the hotel. The gardens have been landscaped for some beautiful walks either along the beach or through the woods.

How did you get there?

From Bethesda we followed the A55 and turned off at the A487 towards Caernarfon and followed the signs to Porthmadog. Portmeirion is about a mile from the old toll bridge. On our way back we decided to go through Blaenau Ffestiniog (for the scenic route) and then on the A5.

How long did you stay?

We arrived around 10am and stayed until about 2pm, as we wanted to make the most after travelling that far. We were limited to what we could do because we had a pushchair.

Did you take a brolly?

We did, plus a rain cover just in case, but we were lucky and it stayed dry. As the attraction is mainly the architecture and the garden walks there is nothing under cover. We were disappointed you could not see inside any of the buildings.

What did you do there?

We visited the shops and walked around the village so we could see all the buildings. To get Beca interested we made up fantasy stories about princesses living in the towers. Then we had a snack and some lunch. Beca played in the wooden play area in the gardens while Ela had a nap.

How much did it cost you?

Parking was free. Adults (£5.50) OAPs (£4.50) children (£2.70) under-fours free, family tickets (from £13.20)

How about food and drink?

Excellent. The Cadwalader ice cream parlour looked small so we opted for the town hall as it had more room for our baggage! We visited the restaurant twice, as the staff there were very accommodating, heating food for Ela, and very friendly for toddlers jumping up and down wanting everything. It gets busy very quickly around lunch time.

Are there any shops?

On entry there was the pottery seconds shop and around the village there was the Prisoner and other lovely gifts shops. Many of them catered for wedding gifts due to the popularity of weddings there.

Is it ok/safe for kids?

Williams-Ellis didn't design with children in mind, so youngsters have to be closely supervised. In the gardens they could easily get lost on the winding paths. We would have liked to walk on the beach but there was no access for pushchairs.

Can people with disabilities get around?

The main roads are OK, but there are many steps, restricting access to a lot of places.

What was the best bit?

Beca thinking a princess lived in the village, and the play area. Both of us enjoyed and appreciated the design and relaxing atmosphere of the village, and the food. Ela enjoyed a relaxing sleep while we were walking around.

Opening times?

Every day, 9.30am-5.30pm. Shops 10am-5.30 pm, town hall self-service restaurant 10am- 5pm, Castell Deudraeth bar and grill 11am-11pm