Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Former Tollhouse (Now Public Telephone Kiosk)
Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces
- Date of designation
- 23 August 2002
- Locality
- Portmeirion
- Community
- Penrhyndeudraeth
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.91389, -4.09744
- Cadw reference
- 26876
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
At the start of the main village road, immediately S of the reception block (Chantry Lodge).
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.
Built in the 1950s as a tollhouse, thereby replacing Toll Gate in Battery Square, where visitors originally announced themselves.
Exterior
Former tollgate of rubble construction The structure is built in folly-style in the form of a pair of truncated drum towers with central arched entrance; a flight of eight steps ascends up to and through the open entrance and terminates at an arched entrance in the L return of the taller, right-hand tower; this with boarded door. The left-hand tower has a similar arched entrance to the L (facing SE), with recessed panelled door; this gives access to the telephone kiosk. Slit-light to the front (NE) of the latter tower. An electrified lantern is affixed to the top of the stepped-up central link wall which contains the arch.
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.
Nearby in the register
- Statue of HuntsmanGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- Forecourt Walls and Balustrading at Cliff HouseGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- Reception (Chantry Lodge)Domesticunder 1 mi
- Cliff House Including AnnexDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.