The beautiful seaside town is a popular destination for tourists who are looking for an affordable beach getaway
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter and Chloe Dobinson Digital Production Editor
05:57, 24 Sep 2025
Portmeirion is nestled along the Dwyryd Estuary in North Wales(Image: jacquesvandinteren via Getty Images)
Britons yearning for a perfect getaway might contemplate flying to far-flung exotic locations, but there is a hidden gem right on our doorstep. Portmeirion, nestled along the Dwyryd Estuary in North Wales, defies expectations of your typical UK seaside destination.
Step into this village and you could easily imagine you have arrived in Italy, courtesy of its enchanting collection of Mediterranean-inspired architecture, golden beaches, and delightful shops. And the cherry on top? It is apparently home to some of Britain’s most affordable fish and chips.
Previous year’s figures reveal that tourists typically fork out just £8.57 for this meal, according to Capital on Tap. This positioned the seaside jewel as the third most budget-friendly for fish and chips, coming only after Southwold in Suffolk and New Brighton in Wirral. Additionally, it boasts impressive television heritage, having served as the filming location for the acclaimed British series The Prisoner.
Portmeirion has also generated considerable buzz on social media. Influencer Meera Pankhania is amongst those captivated by its picturesque appeal, reports the Mirror.
Portmeirion was created by pioneering architect Clough Williams-Ellis(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“My boyfriend and I were meant to go to Portugal that weekend but as it went on Amber list, we visited here as an alternative and then climbed Mount Snowdon,” she said in a previous TikTok.
“We stayed there for two days and while I’ve never visited Italy myself, I felt like I was in Lake Como. To arrive at the place, you travel through some beautiful roads and beautiful scenery.”
Nestled in the heart of Gwynedd, the captivating village of Portmeirion was created by pioneering architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who spent half a century developing the site following his purchase of the land in 1925.
The village now features an extraordinary collection of nationally important listed buildings, including the magnificent Grade I Listed Portmeirion Town Hall, constructed in 1938.
Yet visitors may be surprised to discover that Portmeirion has no permanent inhabitants, as it exists solely to serve tourists and holiday-makers.
No one lives in Portmeirion and is solely for tourists (Image: Getty Images)
The village actually operates to set hours, typically welcoming guests from 9.30am until 6.30pm throughout the week during the busy summer months. Alongside its striking architecture and eye-watering chip shop costs, visitors frequently rave about Portmeirion’s afternoon tea offerings as well.
One guest shared their experience on TripAdvisor, commenting: “The best afternoon tea in the world, in the one of the nicest places. The village is stunning and we really made the most of it, being amongst the last to leave.
“We had afternoon tea in the hotel, which was absolutely delicious.”
A fellow visitor remarked: “There is no other place in England like this, it is so SO unique and amazing.
“If you only visit ONE place before you die, hopefully not just yet! then come here. It is SO lovely! We spent hours here, we did have afternoon tea here and if the weather had been better and we could have gone on the coastal and woodland walks, we would happily have stayed from opening to closing time.”
For those in search of a budget-friendly beach getaway this summer, Portmeirion could be the ideal destination.