\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n The holiday experts said: “The UK has no shortage of picturesque villages full of houses with thatched roofs, chimneys and lush flowers.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It\u2019s these characteristics that coin the village as a\u00a0chocolate box village.\n<\/p>\n
\n “So if you\u2019re looking for chocolate box villages in the UK to add to your ever-growing list of places to visit, we\u2019ll help you discover a few so you can start planning your next getaway.”\n<\/p>\n
5 perfect spots for a summer staycation<\/p>\n
The best\u00a0‘chocolate box’ villages in the UK<\/p>\n
\n The 11 best “picture-perfect” chocolate box villages in the UK, according to Snaptrip<\/a>, are:\n<\/p>\n Why Portmeirion is among the UK’s best ‘chocolate box’ villages<\/p>\n \n Portmeirion was the\u00a0brainchild of Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and was built between 1925 and 1975.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Lonely Planet<\/a> said: “His love for Mediterranean architecture \u2013 and in particular the Italian village of Portofino \u2013 was the inspiration to mould and design his own version.\n<\/p>\n \n “Its hotels, cottages and shops are painted in pastel colours, while domes and spires soar from various elevations, giving them a grand scale.\n<\/p>\n \n “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.”\n<\/p>\n \n It was previously named among the UK’s most charming coastal villages<\/a> by the travel experts.\n<\/p>\n \n Now, it has featured among the country’s best ‘chocolate box’ villages, commended for its “high-quality” gifts and products, architecture, and ornamental gardens.\n<\/p>\n \n Snaptrip explained: “The ornate, Italianete village of Portmeirion is well known as a market leader of high-quality tableware, giftware and home fragrances.\n<\/p>\n \n “With its riviera houses and ornamental gardens, it’s a little pocket of madness in the north of Wales.\n<\/p>\n \n “Its architecture is very unbefitting of a traditional Welsh town but it\u2019s this charm that gives it the title of a chocolate box village in the UK.”\n<\/p>\n What to do in Portmeirion<\/p>\n \n There are several features that are a ‘must-visit’\u00a0when in Portmeirion, according to\u00a0Visit Wales<\/a>. These include:\n<\/p>\n \n It is also worth checking out the pottery on offer when in Portmeirion, another key feature of the North Wales village.\n<\/p>\n \n 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.\n<\/p>\n A guide to safe and responsible hiking<\/p>\n \n Lonely Planet said: “The coastal path along the River Dwyryd estuary presents some magnificent views looking toward\u00a0Snowdonia National Park\u2019s (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.”\n<\/p>\n \n If you are looking for somewhere to eat, Snaptrip recommends\u00a0Castell Deudraeth.\n<\/p>\n \n You can also stay at Portmeirion, with various accommodation options available (full details on the website<\/a>).\n<\/p>\n \n RECOMMENDED READING:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n Opening times<\/p>\n \n Portmeirion is\u00a0open every day of the year, except Christmas Day.\n<\/p>\n \n It is open 9.30am until 6.30pm during the main season, and 9.30am until 5.30pm during the winter.\n<\/p>\n \n Shops close at 5.30pm all year round, while the cafes are open 10am until 5pm.\n<\/p>\n \n Castell Deudraeth is open for lunch (12pm to 2pm) and\u00a0dinner\u00a0(6pm to 9.30pm) every day.\n<\/p>\n\n
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