PORTMEIRION, North Wales. A touch of Italy in Wales.

The village of Portmeirion was designed and built between 1925 and 1975 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, some of the buildings incorporating parts and fragments from demolished buildings, in a style which he said would pay tribute to the atmosphere of the Mediterranean. Most of the buildings are used as hotel rooms and self-catering cottages, as well as shops, cafes, and a restaurant. The Bell Tower, or Campanile(1928) as Sir Clough called it, incorporates an old chiming turret clock from a demolished London brewery, and it's bells can be heard chiming several times a day. Portmeirion also includes extensive woodlands and gardens, 'Y Gwyllt', including a Chinese garden and bridge and a Dog Cemetery. Down on the quayside is a hotel, and in front of that, the remains of 'Amis Reunis' an old Porthmadog trading ketch. Further along the beach is the Observatory Tower(1936-37) with it's statue of Nelson, and further on, the folly lighthouse(1953).