Holidays SOMEWHERE SPECIAL
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he slightly weird and definitely wonderful Italianate village of Portmeirion was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 to 1976, to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. The village and gardens are one of Wales’ premier visitor The Beatles loved Portmeirion – George Harrison spent his 50th birthday here attractions, welcoming over 200,000 visitors every year. mid-week break (Monday-Thursday) or a full seven nights Portmeirion is home to two hotels, a cluster of historic (arriving on a Friday or a Monday). Kitchens are fully equipped cottages, iconic archtecture, stylish shops, award-winning restaurants, casual cafes, an ice-cream parlour, exotic with crockery, utensils, glasses and a microwave oven. All cottages have TV, phone and wifi. Towels and gardens, sandy beaches and a a spa. Thousands visit “People linen are included while in the area but more and more people are extend in the price, and choosing to extend their trip and stay in the village itself – with beds are made their trip good reason. up prior to arrival. to stay in Guests enjoy A break here is the village free entry into like no other. Portmeirion Portmeirion Village itself” and Gardens and Village on the use of the heated North Wales outdoor pool. Complimentary coast has 13 individually transport from local train styled self-catering cottages A fairy tale come to life… and bus stations is available, all available to book for a as are dedicated parking bays. How better to experience three-night weekend break somewhere truly out of this world! www.portmeirion.wales/visit (Friday-Sunday), four-night On the seafront
Glamping wagons at Overwater Marina
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itting beside one of their brand-new luxury railway glamping wagons, Janet and Angus Maughan are a long way from where they started out. Angus began working life as a dairy farmer, while Janet lectured at Manchester Metropolitan University. Together with Angus’s sister Maria and late father Richard they created the award-winning Overwater Marina, near Audlem – a 230-berth inland marina Janet and Angus Maughan enjoying the evening peace on the Shropshire Union Canal. Since opening in 2010, in Audlem to be met by the family farm’s horse and cart. Overwater is now home to a range of boating services including Café at Bridge 80, a narrowboat workshop, and the It is Overwater’s links to the old ‘Gingerbread’ line that community-run Audlem Lass ferry and Wheelyboat services. inspired the theme for the new wagons. Bespoke-built by In 2017, the team added a small touring park of fully serviced Cedar & Oak of Holmes Chapel, each features little touches camping pitches, which proved hugely popular, and never ones to remind guests of the railway heritage. Each wagon has its to rest on their laurels, they own sleeping area and have just completed their full bathroom facilities with heating provided latest venture, Lakeview – a “Steps by Everhot cast-iron spacious seasonal touring away is site with four luxury glamping stoves. As glamping is, wagons. The wagons have of course, as much about access to been positioned to take the outside space, two the old of the wagons have their in the lake view, while GWR” own wood-fired hot only steps away is access to the old Great Western tubs, perfect for a dip as the sun sets. Guests Railway (GWR) line. Here Anyone for a dip? can enjoy picnics along the nature has taken over, and it is easy to forget this was once a busy track atmospheric railway cutting, glimpse moving people and freight. Angus the canal boats on the Shropshire Union as they pass by on remembers his father reminiscing about the aqueduct, or relax by the fishing and wildlife lakes. Overwater Marina’s Glamping Wagons are open all year and travelling home from school along the line as a boy, alighting at the station can be booked at overwatermarina.co.uk or call 01270 812677. A cosy wagon interior 80 SHIRE MAGAZINE | January/February 2022
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