Portmeirion in Gwynedd was named as one of the favourite seaside towns in the UK. The North Wales town is famous for its colourful array of Italian-style buildings. It features a Mediterranean piazza, extensive woodlands, historic cottages, gift shops and restaurants inspired by towns like Portofino.
Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery. It's known for being the location for the 1960s cult TV series The Prisoner. From Birmingham, it takes around two hours and 40 minutes to reach via the M54 through Telford and Shrewsbury, traffic permitting.
The village, which has an entrance fee, is set in a subtropical forest known as The Gwyllt, which means Wildwood in Welsh. It boasts some of Britain's largest trees, secret gardens, rare flowers, a derelict castle, coastal coves, a Japanese garden and a 'ghost garden' in 70 acres of woodlands with 19 miles of pathways. Named the best seaside destination in Wales. It is ‘quirky’ appeal, describing it as a ‘magical experience with magnificent architecture with setting above a wide, sandy estuary.
Few countries can be home to such a diversity of brilliant seaside breaks as Britain. Whether you want world class beaches and utter wilderness or the bright lights and bucket and spade atmosphere of a resort, the UK has a seaside break made for you.
