h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

As the guide entry reads, "Portmeirion is a hotel unlike any other. It was an ongoing project for many years for the architect Clough Williams-Ellis. It takes the form of an Italianate village on the coast of a peninsula in northern Wales. It features an odd juxtaposition of styles and buildings, and is very carefully planned to present the visitor with engaging and interesting views wherever they stop. It was not very widely known until The Prisoner was shot there, although it had famous links well before - Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit in one of the cottages there in May, 1941. It was also later used as a location for the Doctor Who story 'Masque of Mandragora'."
There's a beautiful village, lots of interesting people, a few numbers to remember, lots of service staff, plenty of action as well as time for quiet contemplation, wonderful weather, and those big floating Rovers to keep you from drowning or getting lost in the forest.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A744897

Portmeirion on h2g2:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A506378

And for some pictures, the official website:
http://www.portmeirion.wales.com/en/

It really makes you wonder why anyone would want to escape.

JTG

Exactly. Though, perhaps the freaky music and psychodelia might not sit well with some.

it would be ok as long asi didn't have to be number 1 or 2

My only worry would be that I really don't have any information more valuable than a bus timetable, and that one morning I might wake up again in my London flat.

Would I have to wear stripes and white hats if I was a villager?

With deck shoes and a brolly to complete the ensemble.

I would have to stipulate the weather has to be good to be residant in the village.

I was there recently and it rained all day so had to book the village bus to take me to their resrurant to eat in the evening

I do have to say it is a fantastic place, with a new view all the time

Sounds great! Now, does anyone have any issue with the drums and gas?

Gas and drums ok, but the water may be suspect!

The suspect water should take care of the gas.

Hmmmm, I was there on Tuesday, just on a day visit, but it was as beautiful as ever. Not too hot, not too cold. They seem to have extended the restaurant since I was last there, but it WAS about 10 years ago.

The cats and peacocks seem to have disappeared, but the local birds are still cheeky enough to try to pinch any food on display. I had a wagtail practically sitting on my foot to pick up crumbs from the cake I was eating.

Ooo, now I want to go ther more than ever. When will the midget butler come for me in a sporty red car?

Its not the bultler that comes for you Mr. Christopher, its the Men in Black with top hats.

I wonder who number three was...

I don't know; but I imagine being number three must be the worst job in the village.

Well, there's lots of room for advancement.

... Of the "king for a day" sort.

Going off on a tengent did you know the Green Dome is no longer green. It's black. SACRILEGE!! And it's now open to visitors. Bit of a diappointment really, as it's only one room and is used as a gallery to display paintings for sale by a local artist.