List of buildings and structures in Portmeirion
{{Short description|none}}
This is a list of notable buildings and structures in the village of Portmeirion, in Gwynedd, northwest Wales. Portmeirion was created as an Italianate village by the architect, Clough Williams-Ellis, who bought the Aber Iâ mansion and its estate in 1925 as the location for his project. He built his eccentric, eclectic village between 1925 and 1975.{{cite news |title=Portmeirion in 'authentic top 50' |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/portmeirion-in-authentic-top-50-2142652 |date=28 November 2008 |accessdate=23 July 2023 |work=Wales Online}} He also bought the nearby Castell Deudraeth in 1931.
Allegedly inspired by the colourful buildings of Portofino in Italy, many of Portmeirion's buildings were built on a tight budget, using salvaged and re-used materials.{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Mark |title=Preserving Portmeirion: a piece of Italy in Wales |url=https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/modus/business-and-skills/surveying-stories/portmeirion-.html |date=20 December 2021 |accessdate=25 July 2023 |work=Modus |publisher=RICS}} In 1971, forty of the fifty main buildings gained a Grade II heritage listing, one of the first examples of this happening for a still living architect.{{cite book|title= Buildings of Wales - Gwynedd |first1= Richard |last1=Haslam |first2=Julian|last2=Orbach |first3=Adam|last3=Voelcker |year= 2009 |page=687 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-14169-6 }}
The village is now a tourist destination with over 200,000 visitors a year.
Listed buildings
class="wikitable sortable" |
class="unsortable"| Image
! Name ! Date completed ! Description ! Listing |
---|
100px
!Portmeirion Town Hall (Hercules Hall) |1938 |An imposing two-storey building in a 17th-century style, the Town Hall incorporates large amounts of dressed stone and a vaulted plasterwork ceiling salvaged from Emral Hall in Flintshire. These were bought at auction by Williams-Ellis. The vaulted ceiling depicts the Labours of Hercules (as well as the signs of the Zodiac) which give the building its alternative name of Hercules Hall.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004777-portmeirion-town-hall-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Portmeirion Town Hall |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade I colour}}|{{sort|1|Grade I}} |
100px
!Campanile |1928 |Described as the most significant building in the village, the tower is seven storeys in height, construction began in 1925 with the intention of it being a focal point.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=epsFOeV1mCMC&pg=PA198 |title= Architecture of England, Scotland, and Wales |first= Nigel R. |last=Jones |year= 2005 |page=198 |publisher=Greenwood Press |place=Connecticut |isbn=978-0313318504 |access-date=26 July 2023}} The tower is in a Baroque style, incorporating stone from a nearby 12th-century castle and a chiming clock from a London brewery.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004868-campanile-also-called-the-bell-tower-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Campanile (Also Called The Bell Tower) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II* colour}}|{{sort|2|Grade II*}} |
100px
!{{sort|Colonnade|The Colonnade}} |{{sort|1959|1959 |Originally a bath stone colonnade, part of the Arnos Court bathhouse in Bristol dating from circa 1760. The bathhouse was damaged during World War II, Williams-Ellis acquired the Colonnade and erected it in Portmeirion. A portrait head of Williams-Ellis was added by sculptor Jonah Jones.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004878-the-colonnade-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Colonnade |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 August 2023}} !{{Grade II* colour}}|{{sort|2|Grade II*}} |
100px
!Anchor |1936 |Four storey 'Mediterranean' style building, though tucked into a cliff and accessed from the road at the top floor.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004854-anchor-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Anchor |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=30 July 2023}} Attached to (and forms a pair with) Fountain (1937). Fountain is the yellow building in the picture. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Angel |1926 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Arches|The Arches}} |1964 |Originally staff accommodation and garages, it became a shop in 1965.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004861-the-arches-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Arches |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Bandstand and Hercules Steps |1961 |A single storey classical loggia, though originally designed to house the village electricity substation underneath. Three flights of broad stone steps adjacent.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026869-bandstand-and-adjoining-flight-of-descending-steps-the-hercules-steps-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Bandstand and Adjoining Flight of Descending Steps (the Hercules Steps) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Battery |1927 |A three-storey house with Kent vernacular weatherboarding to the facade. Originally called 'Block C', the ground floor was originally used as a garage.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004870-battery-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Battery |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Belvedere|The Belvedere}} |1960 |A simple classical 2-storey house, which incorporates stained glass from Castell Deudraeth.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004874-the-belvedere-including-associated-terraces-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Belvedere, Including Associated Terraces |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Bridge House |1959 |One of the gatehouses to Portmeirion, a two-storey building over a tunnel arch. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Casino |1926 |Listed together with the Amis Reunis boat, the Casino loggia is part of the seafront terrace in front of the Portmeirion Hotel.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026861-sea-front-terrace-incorporating-the-casino-and-amis-reunis-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Sea-front Terrace Incorporating the Casino and Amis Reunis |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
|1700s |A mansion on the Portmeirion Estate, bought by Clough Williams-Ellis in 1931. Reopened after extensive renovation in 2001.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004841-castell-deudraeth-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Castell Deudraeth |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Chantry |1937 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Chantry Lodge |1969 |Built as an office and reception building.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004872-reception-chantry-lodge-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Reception (Chantry Lodge) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Chantry Row |1963 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Chinese Gateway and steps |1961 |A single storey pavilion in a Chinese style with an 'oriental' metal roof. Attached walls, railings and flight of stairs are also listed.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026865-chinese-gateway-steps-and-railings-to-anchor-including-associated-wall-with-enclosure-to-n-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Chinese Gateway, Steps and Railings to Anchor, Including Associated Wall with Enclosure to N |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Cliff House |1969 |A Georgian style house to the east of the village, with facades of three bays.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026873-cliff-house-including-annex-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Cliff House Including Annex |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} Williams-Ellis shows his love of visual tricks, with the windows on one side of the house being false, purely to retain symmetry. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Corrugated iron shelter |1950s !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Dolphin |1934 |A large 3-storey building with the south elevation facing the River Dwyryd estuary.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004864-dolphin-including-royal-dolphin-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Dolphin (Including Royal Dolphin) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Dovecote |1800s |A pre-existing circular rubble dovecote associated with the original Aber Iâ mansion.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026880-dovecote-above-portmeirion-hotel-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Dovecote Above Portmeirion Hotel |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Former Tollhouse |1950s !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Fountain |1937 |Three-storey house with a flat roof, adjacent to Anchor.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004855-fountain-penrhyndeudraeth|title=Fountain |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} Fountain is the pink-washed house to the right of the Anchor in the image. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Gatehouse|The Gatehouse}} |1955 |An imposing 2-storey gatehouse over a tunnel arch. It was the first post-war building and includes a ceiling mural painted by German artist, Hans Feibusch.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004873-the-gate-house-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Gatehouse |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Gazebo|The Gazebo}} |1983 |Built to mark the centenary of Clough William-Ellis's birth, the Gazebo was built to designs by his daughter, Susan.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026879-the-gazebo-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Gazebo |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Gloriette |1965 |An imposing classical loggia, named after the building that inspired it at Schoenbrunn Palace, Vienna.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004884-gloriette-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Gloriette |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Gothick Pavilion |{{sort|1966|1966 |Originally a porch for Nerquis Hall in Flintshire, it was relocated to Portmeirion with amendments by Williams-Ellis.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004862-gothick-pavilion-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Gothick Pavilion |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Government House |1929 |Built as overspill accommodation for the hotel, Government House is a large building of two sections, one of three storeys and the other of two storeys.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004865-government-house-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Government House |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Hotel|Portmeirion Hotel}} |{{sort|1850|c. 1850}} |Formerly known as the mansion of Aber Iâ, the building and its grounds were bought in 1925 by Williams-Ellis as the focus for his new village.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004853-portmeirion-hotel-including-revetment-balustrade-and-sculptures-to-the-upper-terrace-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Portmeirion Hotel |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Ladies Lodge |1939 |Originally a garage, the building was converted to be used as a shop.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004877-ladies-lodge-siop-bach-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Ladies Lodge (Siop Bach) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Lighthouse|The Lighthouse}} |1963 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Mermaid |{{sort|1840|c. 1840}} |Originally a gardener's cottage for the Aber Iâ mansion, Williams-Ells decorated it in a Regency-Gothic style.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004860-mermaid-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Mermaid |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Neptune |1926 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Observatory Tower |1937 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Pantheon|The Pantheon and addition}} |1961 |Also known as the Dome, due to its large octagonal dome surmounted by a cupola. on the southwest side is a large Gothic porch and to the rear is a single storey extension.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004879-the-pantheon-including-addition-to-the-rear-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Pantheon Including Addition to the Rear |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Prior's Lodging |1929 |The two-storey building forms part of Battery Square and is named after its first tenant, the Prior of the Monastery of Caldy.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004869-priors-lodging-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Prior's Lodging |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Rotunda and Grotto |1954 |Built as a circular viewing platform, but containing a shell grotto lined with scallop shells and conches.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004896-rotunda-or-grotto-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Rotunda or Grotto |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=23 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Round House and arch |1960 !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Salutation |{{sort|1842|c. 1842-1858}} |Originally the stable block and lodge for the Aber Iâ mansion. Later used as a shop selling Portmeirion Pottery{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004886-salutation-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Salutation |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} and as a general gift shop. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Shelter and statue of Buddha |1964 |Gold painted statue of Buddha (used for the 1958 film Inn of the Sixth Happiness) housed in a circular shelter with a decorative balustrade and a pantiled roof.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004889-statue-of-buddha-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Statue of Buddha |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=27 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Telford's Tower, walls and arches |1958 |A three-storey tower with a single storey range, built to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Thomas Telford.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004883-telfords-tower-including-adjoining-walls-and-arches-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Telford's Tower, Including Adjoining Walls and Arches |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Trinity |1934 |A three-storey Georgian-style building, originally with garages underneath.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004859-trinity-house-including-adjacent-petrol-pump-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Trinity House Including Adjacent Petrol Pump |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=26 July 2023}} Lately used as a shop. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!{{sort|Unicorn|The Unicorn}} |1964 |An elegant, classical building, deliberately built much smaller to give an impression of a grand stately home from a distance.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004882-the-unicorn-penrhyndeudraeth |title=The Unicorn |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Villa Winch |1967 |A two-storey domestic building behind the Chantry, built for Clough-Ellis's friend, Captain Henry Winch.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026871-villa-winch-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Villa Winch |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=26 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Watch House |1926 |A small cottage-like single-storey building, behind Dolphin, facing towards the sea.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004866-watch-house-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Watch House |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=25 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!White Horses |{{sort|1700|1700s/1966}} |An eighteenth-century cottage with a 1966 extension by Williams-Ellis. Attached to the Observatory Tower.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004894-white-horses-penrhyndeudraeth |title=White Horses |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=25 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
Other listed structures
class="wikitable sortable" |
class="unsortable"| Image
! Name ! Date completed ! Description ! Listing |
---|
100px
!Amis Reunis |1930 |A recreation in concrete, now part of the sea wall, of a 70-ton Breton trading ketch. Williams-Ellis incorporates elements from the original boat.{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vsYZEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22amis+reunis%22+portmeirion&pg=PT246 |title=The Ship Asunder - A Maritime History Of Britain in Eleven Vessels |chapter=Anchor - Amis Reunis |year=2023 |author=Tom Nancollas |publisher=Penguin |isbn=9780241434154 }} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Angel Gates (Hercules Gate) |{{sort|1937|c. 1937}} |Dated 1908 but erected opposite the Town Hall prior to the completion of that building.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004857-angel-gates-hercules-gate-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Angel Gates (Hercules Gate) |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Astrolabe |– |Metal astrolabe, on top of a Tuscan stone column set on a terracotta octagonal base.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004891-astrolabe-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Astrolabe |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Hercules Statue |{{sort|1960|1960 (cast c. 1863)}} |Statue by William Brodie, erected on a tall stone pedestal in the current site in 1960.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300004890-hercules-statue-penrhyndeudraeth |title=Hercules Statue |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=25 July 2023}} !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Monument in Battery Square |– |Statue of an eagle, on top of a stone ball finial, atop an iron column. !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
100px
!Wall adjoining Bridge House |{{sort|1850|early 1800s}} |A 19th century wall associated with the Aber Iâ mansion.{{cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300026872-c19-wall-adjoining-bridge-house-to-the-e-penrhyndeudraeth |title=C19 Wall Adjoining Bridge House to the E |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=24 July 2023}} The listed walling is visible both in the left of the picture, and in the centre-right (between the rock outcrop and the rear of Bridge House). !{{Grade II colour}}|{{sort|3|Grade II}} |
{{Incomplete list|date=July 2023}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}