Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Rotunda or Grotto
Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, designated on 14 January 1971.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 14 January 1971
- Locality
- Portmeirion
- Community
- Penrhyndeudraeth
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.91339, -4.09728
- Cadw reference
- 4896
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
Set into the hillslope below Cliff House with panoramic views accross the bay; accessed via steps and an arch from the main village road.
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 1954 as a grotto and viewing platform.
Exterior
A rounded structure designed as a lookout platform with grotto below. Of rendered brick and concrete with low slab-coped parapet walls. The building consists of a semi-circular, single storey flat-topped drum built into the hill side, with a viewing platform and parapet at roof level. A cast iron fluted column stands in the centre of the concrete platform with a surmounting metal astrolabe. There are arched entrances to the lower, grotto part, and 5 rectangular barred openings with outward splays.
Interior
The walls and ceiling of the interior are lined with scallop shells and conches, embedded in concrete. A slate bench on the hill side runs along the whole length. In the centre is a dolphin fountain of painted wood. Opposite are six rectangular niches squeezed in between the window openings.
Reason for designation
Listed as one of a number of buildings and structures designed 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
- C19 Wall Adjoining Bridge House to the EGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- The Gate HouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Cliff House Including AnnexDomesticunder 1 mi
- Statue of HuntsmanGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.