The private UK beach that offers 'a little slice of Italy' on the north Wales coastline

This 'beautiful pouch of madness' is simply a delight for the senses

Nestled on the rugged coastline of North Wales, a hidden formation sits successful the shadiness of the whimsical colony of Portmeirion. Known for its distinctive Italianate architecture, stunning earthy quality and ties to popular culture, Portmeirion has captivated visitors since it was archetypal built successful 1925.

The brainchild of visionary designer Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is location to colourful Mediterranean-inspired buildings nestled betwixt cobbled streets that consciousness similar you person stepped into a dream. In fact, it's truthful pretty, it's hard to judge you’re successful Wales and not determination connected the Amalfi Coast.

Williams-Ellis primitively designed Portmeirion arsenic a tourer destination, with the Hotel Portmeirion sat connected the waterfront overlooking the Dwyryd Estuary. When the tide goes out, the aureate sands uncover hidden caves and gullies, but visitors are advised to enactment connected Terre firma during precocious tide times.

This agelong of coastline tin lone beryllium reached from the colony and is worthy the travel to seizure it's stunning earthy quality and acold reaching views.

Portmeirion's Riviera inspired houses, ornamental plot and campanile person been described arsenic "a beauteous pouch of madness similar nary other" and it's casual to spot why.

According to the Visit Wales website, the beauteous colony is compact, but his clever usage of arches, slopes and model sizes makes it look larger than it is.

The Rough Guide to Wales calls it 'a gorgeous ocular poem', and its individually styled buildings are location to a clump of self-catering cottages, shops, a spa, cafes and restaurants and an authentic Italian-style gelateria.

The colony is besides location to 2 hotels - the archetypal Grade II listed Hotel Portmeirion and the Castell Deudraeth, a Victorian castellated folly converted into a modern edifice successful 2001. Visitors tin besides bask a good eating acquisition astatine the award-winning Art Deco restaurant.

Portmeirion besides provided the backdrop for the 1960's cult classical series, The Prisoner. In the series, histrion Patrick McGoohan not lone starred arsenic Number Six, the starring relation successful The Prisoner, helium was besides the creator and driving unit down the 17 occurrence series.

The Round House, the cottage wherever Number Six lived successful TV amusement is present a store selling nostalgic memorabilia.

For quality lovers, determination is besides a subtropical wood known arsenic The Gwyllt (Wildwood successful Welsh) which is location to immoderate of Britain's largest trees, concealed gardens, a derelict castle and uncommon flowers. Explore the 70 acres of exotic woodlands with 19 miles of pathways which chopped done forests, concealed spaces and coastal coves.

The Village is usually unfastened each time from 9.30am to 5.30pm, isolated from Christmas Day. Visit the Portmeirion website for existent prices and opening hours.