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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not pay to visit portmeirion

65 replies

millimat · 29/05/2018 15:03

Has anyone paid to go in? We were going to visit at the weekend but it would have cost us £35!!!!! What is so amazing about it?

OP posts:

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Original poster

millimat · 29/05/2018 22:46

So you can holiday there but people don't actually live there?

OP posts:

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 29/05/2018 22:48

No, nobody lives there. I like to think that ghostly inhabitants live there but that's just my fanciful imagination...

Destinysdaughter · 29/05/2018 22:56

I'm going there in a few weeks. The hotel we've booked included the cost of entry to the village. Maybe that is a good option? Not been before so don't know if it's good value or not!

Storminateapot · 29/05/2018 23:10

It basically a lot of holiday cottages behind lovely movie-set facades. You can't go in any of them or anything.

I've been a few times pre-kids (and I think my expectations were dashed the first time too). I loved it and I would like to stay there some time, but it's not somewhere we have ever thought the kids would have been very interested in.

Its been many years, but if I remember correctly there's a boat on the jetty that's actually part of the jetty? I was very taken with that.

Alabasterangel6 · 29/05/2018 23:24

It’s not a village as others have said. It’s a fascinating pseudo village built in the Italianate fashion by the very eccentric William Clough Ellis. He had a vision of a place and it was his life’s work. There are a acres and acres of beautiful land and coast.

You need to be able to go in with an interest in this quirky idea. Steps that lead nowhere, houses that aren’t houses. Vistas built in quirky angles to alter your view and a moored boat that isn’t even a boat at all.
It’s one massive illusion. A clever, bonkers, quirky ideal of making a chunk of Italy in wales.

It’s more like a museum than an amusement park. Taking it all in, slow paced reading the guide whilst going round are essential.

If seeing that sort of place with that ideology isn’t your thing, don’t go. I can recommend alternatives in the area?

Justwhenyouthink · 29/05/2018 23:29

Google streetview is free. Take a look and see if it's your kind of thing.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 29/05/2018 23:39

Yes you do have to pay to go to Clovelly Seren it’s is a privately owned village, but a real village with real houses that people live in, it’s very beautiful and quaint and worth the entrance fee for the donkeys alone!

Imchlibob · 29/05/2018 23:39

If everyone who was vaguely interested in moonching around a pretty village went to portmerion, it would be unpleasantly overcrowded and the additional wear and damage to the walkways, archways etc could accelerate beyond the rate of possible repair causing irretrievable collapse.

They deliberately need to set the price high enough to put a good chunk of potential visitors off. It's fine not to go if you aren't interested. That's part of the plan.

FeralBeryl · 29/05/2018 23:43

I went yesterday!
I bloody love it there, it's a very surreal place. We paid £67 (gulp) for 8 of us.
Parking is free. Admittedly there isn't a huge amount to do but, the beach is beautiful, the buildings are lovely, there is a large stone paddling pool and fountain centrally so take swimming things or at least a towel for little ones.
There is a big floor chess set which ours like to play, but it was closed yesterday for maintenance
Little road train runs every 20 mins and also free. Takes you through the forest and stops high up for some fab photo opportunities.
(Attached pic is from here yesterday)
It's not great for those with limited mobility, lots of steps. Free wheelchair hire at the entrance though.
It was designed to become a tourist village by the original architect.
It feels a bit like Alton Towers at the entrance.
Couple of little shops and a gallery - very expensive Several nice places to eat although we went for the picnic option this time and just bought coffees.
Yes it's pricey, but it's such a quirky, unique place that I think everyone should go once.

Destinysdaughter · 29/05/2018 23:56

Your picture is beautiful FeralBeryl thanks for posting it. So looking to going there! 😀

Hairyfairy01 · 30/05/2018 00:20

You would pay to go to a national trust place yes? I can’t see any difference. It’s not a village in the true sense of the word. Nobody lives there. It has to be seen to be believed. You can easily spend the whole day there and it has a beach x

bonnyshide · 30/05/2018 00:28

I've been on a gorgeous day, it was fantastic and well worth the entrance fee. It's more than just another village.

AornisHades · 30/05/2018 00:31

You could go to the beach there. It may well be quieter than public beaches on a nice day.

FeralBeryl · 30/05/2018 00:32

Thank you @Destinysdaughter - it was only a quick iPhone snap too, the views do the hard work for you
Forgot to mention - if you book online, you save 10% too. They just email you the code so you show your phone on arrival.

Quickerthanavicar · 30/05/2018 08:40

Go to Criccieth, family ticket for the castle is £16.

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