UK village that feels like you're in Italy and has a surprising famous connection
- UK Hidden Gems
- Nov 10, 2025
- 2 min read
Now that autumn has arrived and the chillier weather has set in, many people start to dream of escaping to somewhere a little more exotic.
Luckily, you don’t always need to travel abroad to find somewhere that feels like a sunny getaway.
There’s one tiny village on the British coast that looks almost identical to a Mediterranean destination, just without the Aperol spritz and pasta.
If you’ve been thinking about taking a UK break that feels more like a trip abroad, you’re not alone. North Wales might just have what you’re looking for, and it’s a lot easier on the wallet too.
With its dramatic coastline, rolling green hills and rich culture, North Wales has become a favourite for those wanting both adventure and relaxation.
Its scenery could easily be mistaken for Italy’s Cinque Terre, even if the weather isn’t always quite as warm.
Sitting on the banks of the River Dwyryd estuary is the charming Welsh village of Portmeirion.
Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, it was built between 1925 and 1975 to look just like an Italian village, with brightly painted houses, secret archways and stunning gardens.
It’s no surprise that such a beautiful place has caught the eye of filmmakers and television producers over the years.
Portmeirion’s biggest claim to fame is that it was used as the real-life “Village” in the cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan.
The series follows a former spy trapped in a mysterious village, trying to keep his secrets safe.
After visiting, one fan shared a glowing review on TripAdvisor. They wrote: “As a fan of The Prisoner, I’d always wanted to visit ‘the village’ and it didn’t disappoint!
We walked along the seaside path and through the woods. The shop dedicated to the show was great value, my wife and I loved it.”
Even if you’ve never seen the show, Portmeirion is still a magical place to explore. Every winding lane, hidden garden and colourful building offers something new, making it easy to lose yourself in its charm.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
Download the official APP!
Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.
Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.
Comments