Tiny town that looks like it's plucked straight from Italy's Amalfi Coast

A tiny Welsh town - that wouldn't look out of place on the Amalfi Coast - can be reached via a two-hour drive from Merseyside.

Portmeirion, in Cardigan Bay, Gwynedd, is described as being one of the prettiest towns in the UK. With its pastel coloured buildings, glistening blue pools and breath-taking River Dwyryd views, it's easy to see why.

The whimsical village may not be a typical seaside resort but every year tourists flock to Portmeirion, to experience a little bit of the Mediterranean while on a staycation. In 1925 the town was created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who took a rundown area and transformed it with decades of architectural work.

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After buying the land of Portmeirion for £3,500, Sir Williams-Ellis took inspiration from the Italian town of Portofino to create his vision. Throughout visitors will find nods to Bavaria, Portugal and more. Since it's not a traditional village, the site hasn't got a school, church or even permanent residents.

Instead, the "magical" spot, which has an entrance fee, is made up primarily of different types of accommodation, a hotel, spa, restaurants, shops and walking routes. Private events such as weddings and parties can also be held across the grounds.

The gardens, affectionately known as The Gwyllt (Wildwood in Welsh), boast some of Britain's largest trees, secret gardens, a derelict castle and rare flowers. Altogether there are 70 acres of exotic woodlands with 19 miles of pathways to discover.

Those who love a day at the seaside will appreciate the white sandy beaches of the Dwyryd Estuary. A day could be spent strolling along the waterfront with an ice cream and a cone of chips alone, but there's also plenty to explore while there.

Portmeirion welcomes more than 200,000 visitors every year, with it becoming busiest in the summer months. But it's not just tourists who visit, celebrities are known to enjoy the seclusion, with The Beatles reportedly using it as a retreat from the mania which surrounded them.

The band's manager Brian Epstein was a regular visitor and even celebrated his 50th birthday there in 1993 with Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Workers at the site suggest people visiting buy a ticket in advance, especially during peak times.

The main season is from March to November, seven days a week, with toll booths open from 9.30am and closing time at 6.30pm (last entry is 5pm). Out of season, Portmeirion is still open for those who would like to explore away from the crowds.

However, while a selection of cafes and shops are open both in and out of season, some facilities are not available in the winter or out of season. For more information and tickets, visit the website here.

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