EXCLUSIVE: A mum who returned to rural Wales after giving up city life in England has revealed the one beauty spot she would recommend to people looking to stay in Britain for a summer holiday
Enfys Maloney is thrilled to be back in Wales (Image: Sales Training With Enfys)
A mum who ditched the “predictability” of city life in England to return to her rural Welsh roots has spoken about the one beauty spot in the country that still blows her away.
Enfys Maloney, 40, had been living in a modest townhouse in Bedford since 2018 before she bought a sprawling farm and historic smallholding in Eryri National Park (aka Snowdonia) in Wales. And it is here where she now lives a much different life with her husband, Rick, and their two young daughters.
And speaking about the move, the travel enthusiast told Wales Online: “One of the reasons we came back to Snowdonia is because there’s nowhere more beautiful in the world really. We have the beautiful coast, the beautiful beaches and the mountains are just breathtaking.”
However, speaking about one place in North Wales she would recommend to tourists, she added: “It is absolutely beautiful to have that rugged rural life but there is another beauty spot here that is often missed and it is a bit of a rare find and a bit of a hidden gem – and that is Portmeirion.
“North Wales is home to some of the best beaches, sights and hidden gems in the UK. I left England, moved back to rural Wales, and found beaches better than anywhere else I found in the UK.”
The stunning beaches and scenery by Portmeirion Villiage (Image: Sales Training With Enfys)
The Italian-style Portmeirion Village was actually the vision of her architect great grandfather, Clough Williams-Ellis, and it was recently named the 13th most colourful place on the planet, beating iconic locations in the likes of Portugal and Spain.
A survey from consumer group Which? also named it the third best coastal destination in the UK. As well as colourful and distinctive architecture, it is also home to self-catering cottages, a spa, cafés, restaurants, gift shops and a castle.
And as for why it is so alluring, Enfys said: “It is just along the coast nestled between the sea and the mountains and it has a castle, it has the woodlands, it has beautiful beaches, a stunning hotel, you can stay in the accommodation in the hotel, or in the castle, or the village itself, or a self-catering with a hot tub overlooking these beautiful views.
“If I was coming to North Wales I wouldn’t want to miss this destination.”
It is perfect for both families and couples looking for a holiday, according to Enfys(Image: Sales Training With Enfys)
Her one recommendation for visitors was to book a lunch in the castle (Castell Deurdraeth) which enables you free access to the village. She said this was the most effective option as the cost of lunch and the entry ticket were roughly the same price anyway.
She added: “It is completely child friendly, and then (after lunch) go and explore the woods and there are some incredible trees, like incredible trees, that you can go and look at. There is also a Chinese lake with a beautiful red bridge over it.
“The destination really caters for families and couples who want to go on holiday.”
Enfys did say that the only caveat people needed to be aware of was that it was a dog-free area. However, she said there was motor home parking for campers looking to visit.
She said the views throughout the village were spectacular (Image: Sales Training With Enfys)
And as well as being ideal for tourists looking for a European atmosphere without having to jump on a plane, Enfys uses Portmeirion Village to host business retreats for her Sales Training With Enfys company.
Travel writer for Wales Online, Portia Jones, recently stayed overnight in the Portmeirion Hotel, and she wrote: “Strolling around, it feels like each building has its own personality; some are playful, with bright facades and ornate details, while others are stately, exuding an old-world charm.
“This is honestly like nowhere you’ve ever seen before, it’s weird and wonderful and is bound to captivate even the most cynical of souls.”