Welcome to Your Village, Portmeirion
Escape From The Village
In this journey
- I want time off. I will not be stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered!
- Escaping Birmingham, Transport for Wales Birmingham New Street to Porthmadog
- Travelodge Porthmadog
- Exploring Porthmadog
- Welcome to your Village – Portmeirion
- Free to go… home? Back to Birmingham with Transport for Wales
- Aftermath: Free to Go, or Free to Stay?
With my stay complete at the Travelodge, I tried to get a taxi to Portmeirion… however, I had no luck at all.
I, therefore, swallowed my pride (along with my legs which would be filing complaints later) for a walk up Porthmadog high street to a bus stop, and a bus onwards to Minnfford.
Another grey morning walk through an industrial estate.
Whilst it was a lot cheaper than a taxi might have been (with the bus fare a total of £1.40), there was a nasty side effect. The one and a bit mile walk to the entrance of Portmerion Village.
On the buses.
Minnifford.
This would be matter later, with the walk back from Portmeirion to Minnifford station – Any time that Google Maps say something is mostly flat, I’ve come to treat that with a very large pinch of salt.
This time was no different.
Walking up the road, there was the road (concrete) or a mixed surface to walk on.
I kept to the left and walked on the road. It was more than a little tough on the leg walk – but eventually, I made it to the car park… and shortly after, into the Village Gate.
The Village is open!
Welcome
The Mountains
Some might know this as The Hospital from The Prisoner. In the real world, it’s Castell Deudraeth – and also a hotel.
Follow the signs.
It’s almost a bit of Italy in Wales
Do the roads ever end?
My pre-booked ticket number was confirmed – and I was given a ticket and a map.
It is time to enter The Village.
Where Am I? In the Village
Portmeirion Village
Entry fee: £14
Lifting from Wikipedia and the Portmeirion site:
Portmeirion is a tourist village in Gwynedd, North Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village and is now owned by a charitable trust.
Portmeirion has been used more than a few times for when a TV crew didn’t want to head over to Italy – rather keeping production a little more local.
For most people, the primary introduction to Portmeirion was in the 1967 TV Series “The Prisoner”.. .and how I was introduced to the place.
And walking under one of the arches, you’ve been transported away from Wales.
Small rooms.
Your Village
Cafe Number 6.
Time to be transported to a different place
I did a slow loop of the Pizziaza and the VIllage, Exploring the nooks and crannies of the place, as well as recreating my own Prisoner scenes.
The tolling bell.
The General Store – or an Art Gallery.
Number 2 – The Green Dome.
Game of chess? We’re all pawns…
Your Village Square.
Good people of our community!
Mermaids everywhere.
Villagers
After an hour or so, there was something I needed. Coffee. Yes, the hotel coffee was barely passable, so having a freshly made americano helped here – and rather reasonably priced at £2.25.
Coffee, Gelato and snacks
Choose your Gelato!
And yes, there was Wi-Fi here. Shockingly good Wi-Fi.
That’s damn fine Wi-Fi.
The Town Hall – also where the small rooms are if you’re in the heart of the Village.
This gave me time to post images, sit back and relax… and take my time. Something I haven’t had much time doing for quite a while.
After a break, I made my way down from the cafe, towards the Stoneboat and The Hotel Portmeirion.
Yes, there is a hotel here (Well two, the castle and the Hotel Portmeirion). The hotel offers lunches and afternoon tea at the venue (which does cut down the £14 entry fee), however, getting reservations for it can be more than a little challenging at the moment if you wish to dine.
Hotel Portmeirion
It seems Rover has new duties these days. Instead of ensuring prisoners don’t escape, they have to keep them warm and sheltered. I guess that’s filed under “Any other duties pertaining to the grade”
Amis Reunis – or “The Stone Boat”
It’s a bit low in here. But used to hatch many a plot in The Prisoner.
Passing the Hotel Portmeirion, you start to head out onto the coast and the coastal walks that are offered in the area.
This isn’t a joke. Be careful out there!
I did a loop onto the sands to create a couple of prisoner scenes – whilst managing to slip into a pool of rock and water.
Let us say my ankle wasn’t happy about that.
A number
Is anyone?
But it gave me a chance to explore the sands, as well explore some quiet woodland on the way back to the Village.
As well as taking my time and slowing down. Which is nice.
Towards the town hall?
Not an invisible barrier this time.
No Massive weather balloon appeared to smother me to death.
No MiniMokes here.
Pawn to Queens Four!
This is missing a band play Radetzky March by Johann Strauss Sr.
We’re missing a 60’s style phone booth here.
Atlas
One of the many rentable homes.
A hidden Buddha.
I spent some time exploring the nooks and crannies of the place, as well as ending up in the gift shops.
Well, I suppose I might as well contribute to the cause – and not just by drinking coffee. It was here where I got some Portmeirion pottery, as well as some Prisononer Memborbila.
I am not a number, I am a merchantable item!
The Prisoner’s jacket
Filming memobrila
A still tongue makes for a happy life.
Your baby could always look good as a member of the Village
DVD’s
T-Shirts and guides.
A quote…
Past the Round House to the Village square.
And there remains a tribute to Patrick McGoogan, with a bust in an alcove.
With those in hands, the sun came out – time for a few more photos as well as an impending alarm clock sound.
It was time to do something The Prisoner had trouble doing – Escaping the Village.
Passing Cafe Number 6 on the way out.
Next: Free to go… home? Back on the trains with Transport for Wales, back to Birmingham New Street.
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I cannot tell you how happy this post made me. I love this show and now need to visit!
Lovely…I had the opening theme playing in my head the entire time I read this post.