Chinese Gateway, Steps and Railings to Anchor, Including Associated Wall with Enclosure to N

Cadw's description

Location

Flanking the metalled lane leading to the hotel on the E.

History

Portmeirion was designed and laid out by the celebrated architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) following his purchase of the estate, then called Aber Iâ, in 1926. The village evolved over several decades and was still being added to in the 1970s.

Exterior

Single-storey Chinese-style pavilion with adjoining walls, railings and steps. The pavilion is of rendered brick or block-work and has a fanciful oriental metal roof carried on 4 stone corner balls. Off-centre arch to the R with pierced square light to the L; similar light to the narrow southern end and a trompe l'oeil equivalent on the N side. Within the pavilion a flight of steps descends towards Anchor and Fountain, passing through a similar arch on its E side. Two bridges with similar decorative balustrades give high level access to the two houses, while below this, immediately to the SW of Anchor, is a narrow terrace with decorative iron balustrade between square rendered piers.

Adjoining the Chinese Gateway to the S and N is a rubble parapetted revettment wall which follows the road down to the Hotel and up towards the Town Hall. The wall terminates to the S at a flight of steps leading down to the Sea-front Terrace. To the N the wall continues to a point diagonally opposite the Town Hall where it terminates in a small U-shaped enclosure open to the road side. This has a section of turned balustrading to the E side with short advanced stretches to the L and R. That to the R (S), is surmounted by a shaped gable with open arch to the centre and with surmounting urn finial; cobbled pavement.

Reason for designation

Listed as one of a number of buildings and structures erected by the eminent architect and conservationist Sir Clough Williams-Ellis for his visionary Portmeirion villiage.

Group value with other listed items at Portmeirion.