Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Westminster Abbey Balustrade
Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, designated on 23 August 2002.
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
- 52.91442, -4.09919
- Cadw reference
- 26877
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
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "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).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
At the northern approach to the village, curving parallel with the rear service lane and facing a large pond on one side.
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.
This section of balustrading is part of Hawksmoor's remodelling of Westminster Abbey under John James, which was carried out between 1736 and 1745; it was presented to CWE by the Dean and Chapter of the abbey in 1972.
Exterior
Stretch of Gothic-style stone balustrading, approximately 1.4m high, with conjoined cusped quatrefoils between broad base and rail sections. Adjoining this, to the R, is a further section of wall constructed of rendered modern breeze block; this is surmounted by moulded triangular sandstone copings, originally belonging to the balustrade.
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; Hawksmoor's C18 balustrading from Westminster Abbey.
Group value with other listed items at Portmeirion.
Nearby in the register
- The UnicornDomesticunder 1 mi
- Telford's Tower, Including Adjoining Walls and ArchesCommemorativeunder 1 mi
- Triumphal Arch Including Adjoining Service Block to the NWDomesticunder 1 mi
- SalutationCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.