A daytrip in Wales

Portmeirion Village, WALES

Just three miles south of Porthmadog is the spectacular Italianate village of Portmeirion, created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis between the years 1926 and 1976. He had one purpose in mind, and that was to show how a naturally beautiful location could be developed without spoiling it. Clough died on April 8, 1978.

Today, Portmeirion is owned by a registered charity, the Second Portmeirion Foundation. The grounds are designated as a Conservation Area and most buildings are listed Grade II. The village attracts over 240,000 visitors a year from all over the world; the admission charge levied at the tollgate contributes directly to the maintenance of the grounds and buildings.

Within the village itself are many wonderful restaurants and shops to mooch around in. With Portmeirion being only two hours from either Shrewsbury or Aberystwyth, you can easily make a full day of it — but don't forget your camera — this daytrip is a memorable one.

Castell Deudraeth Bar & Grill (Portmeirion) Brasserie style menus based on fresh local produce including lobster, crab, and scallops from the Lyn Peninsula, rock oysters brought in daily from the shores of Anglesey, Welsh beef and lamb hill-farmed from the farms around Bala.

Cadwaladers Ice Cream Parlour (Portmeirion) Uses fresh local dairy produce to create its traditional ice creams. Tea and coffee also served.

The Town Hall Restaurant. Also known as Hercules Hall, it was designed to house a Jacobean ceiling, panelling, and mullioned windows salvaged from Emral in Flintshire. Self-service restaurant with seating both inside and outdoors. Offers a choice of hot and cold meals as well as snacks.

Portmeirion is a beautiful and unique attraction, one that should not be rushed. Be sure to visit every magnificent piece of architecture within the village.

Leave the car park to the Tollgate, where you will pay your admission charge. Then proceed to the Battery Square. The surface is delightfully cobbled and surrounded by a pair of archway-linked buildings — The Round House and Lady Lodge. The Round House is one of a pair of Baroque shops linked by an overhead walkway. The building now the Prisoner Shop. The other Baroque shop — Lady Lodge, has a beautiful semi-circular mural above the bay window by Hans Feibush. Originally Lady Lodge was built as a lock-up garage, but was converted in the early 1960s into the Battery Stores and then The Peacock. The shop is now called Siop Bach (little shop) and above it is the Lady Lodge Beauty Parlour.

Castles in England

The England castles features are some of the most famous in world as well as a major tourist attraction. Castles have been an important part of life in England since the early days of the Norman conquerors, and have served as defensive strongholds, homes, and historic sites throughout the years. While some tourists come to see the castles England features as the primary focus of their Europe vacation, other travelers hope to visit the castles England has as part of a larger trip. No matter what your particular focus, castles in England are one of the most impressive attractions in England.

Details about some of the most notable castles in England:

Windsor Castle

Winsor Castle is the largest inhabited stronghold in the world as well as the largest castle to be found in England. Windsor castle is a favorite residence of the current royal family, and has served the purposes of the monarchy since the days of William the Conqueror. Tours of the castle are available daily.

A visit to Windsor Castle makes a great day-trip from London and a good break from the capital city’s urban attractions. The grandest of all castles in England is also situated just two miles from Legoland, a good place to take the kids after trekking them around this historic fortress.

Knole

Knole is a stately home situated close to Sevenoaks in north-west Kent, surrounded by a 1000 acre deer park. It is remarkable in England for the degree to which the early 17th-century appearance of its state rooms is preserved: the interiors of many houses of this period were altered later on. The surrounding deer park is also a remarkable survivor, having changed little over the past 400 years except for the loss of many trees in the Great Storm of 1987.

It is one of the most unique castles in England. Knole features 365 rooms (one for each day of the year), 52 staircases (weeks in the year), and 7 courts (days of the week). Of England castles with a Tudor theme, Knole is one of the best examples. Tours are available daily.

Hatfield House

England castles all come with fascinating stories, and Hatfield is no different. It was here that Elizabeth I first learned, while playing under a tree, that she had become Queen of England. This is one of the most beautiful resident castles in England, with lovely maintained grounds and exquisite artwork featured inside the castle, where tours are available.

Hever Castle and Gardens

This is one of the England castles that remains a favorite among history lovers. The former home of the famous Anne Boleyn, this castle has since been purchased and restored.

Woburn Abbey

This castle has a Wild Animal Kingdom with one of the most extensive collections of animals in all of England. Woburn Abbey was also one of the castles of England loved by Queen Victoria, and tours of the castle will include a view of her former bedroom.

Thornbury Castle

Thornbury is one of the delightful castle hotels England features. Castle hotels England has to offer generally combine history with modern luxury. The Thornbury Castle is 500 years old, and guests will experience the thrill of walking the same halls as Henry VIII, as well as many other historical kings and queens. Of the castle hotels England offers, Thornbury Castle is one of the oldest, and the only Tudor castle to be opened as a hotel.

Whether you plan to spend the night in an English castle, or simply hope to make a tour of some of the more prominent castles in the country, the castles of England are one of the most fascinating sites in Europe. Tours of the castles of England can be arranged through travel companies, many which combine sightseeing with accommodation and other activities.