A fascinating and fantastic place - PORTMEIRION. Even the name conjures up romantic
visions and captures the haunting atmosphere of this fairytale location. Once there
existed only a remote Victorian mansion, which sat on the edge of an overgrown wooded
peninsula (formerly called ABER IA). This unlikely setting gradually metamorphosed into a
much-filmed and visited international hotel resort. Its grounds, surrounding woods and
main village have always evoked magic and mystery. For over 75 years, since architect Sir
Clough Williams Ellis first began developing his declared dream site, PORTMEIRION has
evolved naturally. Many attempts have been made to 'define' the place's 'meaning'. Guides
have been written over the years, becoming outdated with each new addition within the
resort, or name change. Although words can never convey or encompass the appeal and
composition of PORTMEIRION, at least there is now a record of all the titles of its
buildings or places, past and present, spread over the next 7 linked pages. Each listing
begins with current names, but earlier ones do not always appear in historical order of
usage.
Entries are set out alphabetically and so do
not follow any geographical route. Some establishment names have adorned more than one
building at different times (e.g. The Peacock Shop [4], The Ship Shop [3] etc.) The main
hotel was mostly destroyed by fire in 1981 and, after extensive repair and renovation,
reopened in 1988. In recent years, building names have been provided in Welsh. However,
this list mainly gives titles in English (with a few shop exceptions, which have never
used English names). A number of garages are referred to, there being once 33, prior to
various accommodation conversions. Sometimes, in the following pages, items are grouped
together for convenience. If it seems that something is missing, check another entry e.g.
Friday Lane is placed with Ornamental Fountain and not Mermaid Cottage. An entry can be
found by consulting the red numerals on the History 2 page map, or the smaller inset map,
as they correspond to the 100 numbers listed throughout the text. There are also
ornamental pillars and shelters at various points along the approach road to Portmeirion,
from its start point after leaving the main highway, plus various signs and structures
(eg. in carparks), not all listed.
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