Welsh village that ‘looks more like Italy’ reveals plans to reopen abandoned attraction

PART of the world-famous attraction Portmeirion is set to be updated.

The bright tourist village in Gwynedd, which has been compared to Italy, gets over 20,000 visitors annually, but one part of it has been left empty for years.

The town, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, was first opened in 1926.

It was built to show what an ideal model village would look like and is often described as “magical” by its visitors.

There's a whole village to explore with winding paths, fountains, woodland, even a sandy beach.

But one of the buildings within the Portmeirion village has remained vacant for years.

Called the Playhouse, the empty building was previously where visitors could watch audio displays, and there are plans to revive it.

The Playhouse is due to get an extension and, inside, there will be an exhibition to tell the story of Portmeirion.

A spokesperson told North Wales Live: “The Playhouse is a grade II listed building which has gone through a number of uses in its history but has been lying empty for some considerable time.

“It is now proposed that it is brought back into use as an exhibition space to illustrate the history and development of Portmeirion.

“As such and to secure the future usage a priority of the proposal was that there be an access to the building which is suitable for and welcome to all visitors.”

The application for the works has been put forward with further plans to add a ramp that will make it more accessible.

Portmeirion has been compared to Portofino in Italy with lots of people saying they can see similarities between the villages.

In keeping with the Italian theme, inside the village gates, you can enjoy an Italian gelato at Angel Ices.

An Italian-inspired town wouldn't be complete without a Bell Tower or a Central Piazza, both of which are in Portmeirion.

For anyone looking for incredible views of the Dwyryd Estuary, you'll find them on the Clifftop Rotunda.

It's not just popular with visitors, Portmeirion Village was used as a filming location for the 1960's series, The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan.

To celebrate the series, there's a The Prisoner Convention, at Portmeirion held every year.

You have to pay to enter Portmeirion with the money going towards the upkeep of the village.

Day passes cost £10, tickets for children between five and 15 are £5.

Or for locals, getting an Annual Pass costs £40 for adults, and £25 for children.

Here's what one TikTok mum thought when she went on an adventure to Portmeirion.

And another Welsh attraction that is getting a new play park and holiday lets with a £7m overhaul.