Brits dreaming of a  perfect getaway might consider jetting off to distant exotic locations, but there’s a hidden treasure right on our doorstep. Portmeirion, tucked away along the  Dwyryd Estuary in North Wales, shatters all preconceptions of your typical British seaside spot.

Step into this village and you could easily believe you’ve landed in Italy, thanks to its captivating array of Mediterranean-inspired architecture, golden sands, and charming boutiques. And the icing on the cake? It’s reportedly home to some of the UK’s most affordable fish and chips.

According to Capital on Tap, last year’s figures reveal that tourists typically shell out just £8.57 for this cherished meal. This places the coastal gem as the third most wallet-friendly destination for fish and chips, trailing only behind Southwold in Suffolk and New Brighton in Wirral.

Plus, it boasts a rich TV history, having served as the filming location for the popular British TV series The Prisoner. Portmeirion has also stirred up quite a buzz on social media.

Influencer Meera Pankhania is among those entranced by its picturesque charm, according to the Mirror. “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 within the picturesque landscapes of Gwynedd, the captivating village of Portmeirion was conceived by pioneering architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who dedicated fifty years to developing the site following his acquisition of the land in 1925. The village now showcases an extraordinary collection of nationally important listed structures, featuring 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 purely to serve tourists and holiday visitors. The village operates according to set hours, typically welcoming guests from 9.30am to 6.30pm throughout its busier months. 

Alongside its remarkable architecture and eye-watering fish and chip costs, travellers frequently rave about Portmeirion’s afternoon tea offerings as well. In 2024, one visitor took to TripAdvisor to share their thoughts on this, writing: “The best afternoon tea in the world, in 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.”

Meanwhile, another added: “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.”

So, for those in search of a cost-effective seaside trip, Portmeirion appears to be an ideal choice.