Chocolate box village in North Wales named among UK's best

North Wales Chronicle

2 days ago

From Cornwall to the Lake District, up to the far reaches of northern Scotland, Snaptrip has come up with a list of the 11 best "picture-perfect" chocolate box villages in the UK.
The holiday experts said: "The UK has no shortage of picturesque villages full of houses with thatched roofs, chimneys and lush flowers.
"It's these characteristics that coin the village as a chocolate box village.
"So if you're looking for chocolate box villages in the UK to add to your ever-growing list of places to visit, we'll help you discover a few so you can start planning your next getaway."
The 11 best "picture-perfect" chocolate box villages in the UK, according to Snaptrip, are:
Portmeirion was the brainchild of Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was built between 1925 and 1975.
Lonely Planet said: "His love for Mediterranean architecture – and in particular the Italian village of Portofino – was the inspiration to mould and design his own version.
"Its hotels, cottages and shops are painted in pastel colours, while domes and spires soar from various elevations, giving them a grand scale.
"A large chess board adds to the surreal nature of the place, while the rows of palm trees would look out of place anywhere else."
It was previously named among the UK's most charming coastal villages by the travel experts.
Now, it has featured among the country's best 'chocolate box' villages, commended for its "high-quality" gifts and products, architecture, and ornamental gardens.
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Snaptrip explained: "The ornate, Italianete village of Portmeirion is well known as a market leader of high-quality tableware, giftware and home fragrances.
"With its riviera houses and ornamental gardens, it's a little pocket of madness in the north of Wales.
"Its architecture is very unbefitting of a traditional Welsh town but it's this charm that gives it the title of a chocolate box village in the UK."
There are several features that are a 'must-visit' when in Portmeirion, according to Visit Wales. These include:
It is also worth checking out the pottery on offer when in Portmeirion, another key feature of the North Wales village.
While you could quite easily spend all day admiring the architecture in the quirky coastal village, there are also some great walks to enjoy as well.
Lonely Planet said: "The coastal path along the River Dwyryd estuary presents some magnificent views looking toward Snowdonia National Park's (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) misty peaks and the Gwyllt is a 70-acre sub-tropical forest hosting 20 miles of bucolic trails, Japanese ponds, quiet temples and the occasional redwood tree."
If you are looking for somewhere to eat, Snaptrip recommends Castell Deudraeth.
You can also stay at Portmeirion, with various accommodation options available (full details on the website).
Portmeirion is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
It is open 9.30am until 6.30pm during the main season, and 9.30am until 5.30pm during the winter.
Shops close at 5.30pm all year round, while the cafes are open 10am until 5pm.
Castell Deudraeth is open for lunch (12pm to 2pm) and dinner (6pm to 9.30pm) every day.