Portmeirion

Day Two in North Wales - all roads lead to the village of Portmeirion.

As the tide recedes down the mouth of the estuary the best view of Portmeirion is probably from the middle of the exposed sandbank and this is possible at low tide, except for the threat of quicksand!



The picturesque setting has served as the location for numerous films and television shows. Probably the best-known use occurred in 1966-67 when Patrick McGoohan, playing Number Six, filmed exteriors for a cult TV series called The Prisoner, a surreal spy drama in which Portmeirion itself played a starring role as "The Village".

Number Six: Where am I?
Number Two: In the Village.
Number Six: What do you want?
Number Two: Information.
Number Six: Who are you?
Number Two: The new Number Two.
Number Six: Who is Number One?
Number Two: You are Number Six.
Number Six: I am not a number! I am a free man!



In 1976 a four-episode Doctor Who story entitled "The Masque of Mandragora" set in Renaissance Italy was also filmed on location in Portmerion and an episode of Citizen Smith in which Wolfie visits Rimini. In 2003 some scenes were also filmed here for the final episode of the TV series Cold Feet.

Designed and built by architect, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village, it is now owned by a charitable trust.

Portmerion is located on the estuary of the River Dwyryd, 2 miles south east of Porthmadog.



After a leisurely stroll around the main village I decided to walk along the coastal route through mixed woodland heading west to the mock Goleudy lighthouse.



Leaving the path I ventured onto the rocks and during the low tide decided to ignoring the warnings of quicksand to cross the beach over the estuary. First mistake! I quickly started to regret this decision as I sank deeper into the sand until I frantically searched for a firm section of wet sandbank.



The receding tide had left a large, deep pool near the shore and to my delight a dozen 5lb Sea Trout had been trapped in the clear water of the pool and amused me for half an hour as they swam strongly searching for an escape route back out to sea.



I re-joined the coastal path and eventually found the battery ridge and its lake teeming with wild life. Dozens of azure blue dragon flies were skiting about the lily ponds and other vegetation around the lake.



An almost perfect setting in the fantastic surroundings of the Lleyn Peninsula - I can't wait to come back to North Wales as soon as possible!

All of the photographs taken on this walk can be viewed here. Select 'slideshow' for automated viewing.