Portmeirion

Portmeirion is a coastal hotel resort in North Wales, first established in 1925. The small settlement which existed there previously was known as Aber Iâ (referring to the nearby estuary, or "mouth" of the passing tidal river). In about 1840, a mansion was built there and took the place's name, sometimes seen on later postcards as "Aberia". This splendid residence became Portmeirion's main hotel building when the site's new owner, architect Clough Williams-Ellis, acquired the estate. He soon began building or converting a few additional cottages, to give extra accommodation.

A must see for all visitors to North Wales. 

Today there are many more buildings of all shapes and sizes within Portmeirion's grounds. The place became most famous as "The Village", the setting for the 1967 TV series "The Prisoner".

Just 15 minutes from Garreg Goch Caravan Park.

With free parking, complimentary guided tours and audio visual show, six cafes and restaurants, half a dozen shops, gardens and beaches it is the perfect day out for all the family.

Surrounding the village are 70 acres of exotic woodlands with easy to follow woodland trails and coastal walks.

Portmeirion is open every day of the year from 9.30am to 7.30pm.

We look forward to welcoming you.

A Brief History

 Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the site in 1925 for something under £5,000. It was then, as Clough wrote, "a neglected wilderness - long abandoned by those romantics who had realised the unique appeal and possibilities of this favoured promontory but who had been carried away by their grandiose landscaping...into sorrowful bankruptcy." Clough immediately changed the name from Aber Iâ (Glacial Estuary) to Portmeirion: Port because of the coastal location and Meirion as this is Welsh for Merioneth, the county in which it lay. The first article about Portmeirion appeared in The Architects Journal (January 6 1926) with photographs of scale models and preliminary designs prepared by Clough to impress potential investors. In this article John Rothenstein writes: "On the sea-coast of North Wales, quite near his own old home, Plas Brondanw, he has acquired what he believes to be an ideal site, and he is engaged upon plans and models for the laying out of an entire small township. The results of his scheme will be significant and should do much to shake the current notion that although houses must be designed with due care, towns may grow up by chance."

The concept of a tightly grouped coastal village had already formed in Clough's mind some years before he found the perfect site. Clough sometimes later suggested the development was unplanned but these drawings and models suggest otherwise. It appears that he had quite a well defined vision for the village from the outset and that to a large extent he stuck to it. Portmeirion was built in two stages: from 1925 to 1939 the site was ‘pegged-out’ and its most distinctive buildings were erected. From 1954-76 he filled in the details. The second period was typically classical or Palladian in style in contrast to the Arts and Crafts style of his earlier work. Several buildings were salvaged from demolition sites, giving rise to Clough’s description of the place as “a home for fallen buildings”.

“An architect has strange pleasures,” he wrote in 1924. “He will lie awake listening to the storm in the night and think how the rain is beating on his roofs, he will see the sun return and will think that it was for just such sunshine that his shadow-throwing mouldings were made.” His last building, the tollgate was built in his 93rd year. Portmeirion gave Clough pleasure during his life and he hoped that it would give pleasure to others. His motto was “Cherish the Past, Adorn the Present, Construct for the Future.” He fought for beauty, “that strange necessity”.

Portmeirion and Plas Brondanw are owned by a registered Charity called the Second Portmeirion Foundation.

The Prisoner

Patrick McGoohan not only starred as Number Six, the leading role in The Prisoner, he was also the creator and driving force behind the 17 episode series. The series was financed by ITC Entertainment with David Tomblin as the Producer and George Markstein as script editor. Many well known actors had guest roles in the series: Leo McKern, Peter Bowles, Eric Portman, Patrick Cargill, Mary Morris, Paul Eddington and Donald Sinden to name but a few. It was probably one of the most influential pieces of televison of the 1960s not only in the UK and USA but also in France, Australia and many other countries. Even The Beatles were fans. Its cult status was confirmed with the establishment in the 1970s of the official Prisoner Appreciation Society - Six Of One.

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Voucher terms available 9.30am - 7.30pm daily from 30th October 2011 to 31st March 2012 for up to 2 adults & 3 children per voucher.

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