In via iterum

Wales Trip Day 7: Portmeirion, Merioneth

Before leaving the UK we intend to do a fair amount of sightseeing. This is an account of a week we recently spent travelling in Wales. Its not a live-blog, but I noted a few observations each day so that the posts read a little as if I had had a computer with me. (And its not as if anyone reading this cares where I actually am sitting when I post this!)

A week of travelling was beginning to take its toll by now and we didn't do that much on Day 7. One thing we did do was that we visited the village of Portmeirion, which lies back across in Merioneth, whence it takes its name. It is an interesting little place - small delicate architecture and odd pieces of classical style statuary dotted through some ornate gardens. It was put together by an architect by the name of Clough Williams Ellis throughout the mid-20th Century, from purpose built structures and items he collected for their aesthetic value.

His purpose was to show how building could fit naturally with the landscape, and make a beauty spot more beautiful. To an extent he succeeded, though I think we would tire of a world entirely like Portmeirion (which point is made by its being chosen as the location for filming The Prisoner in the 1960s), but in my opinion he failed in one respect: access by car to the village is extremely restricted and of limited utility. Which makes his case for it as a building philosophy for the future rather weaker. Still, it is a striking place, and worth a visit if you are in the area.

In the evening we went out for dinner in Criccieth. Uneventful really, except that we had always wanted to put a message in a bottle and launch it for someone to find. So we took a bottle and message along with us. Unfortunately, the tidal conditions weren't right so we had to leave the bottle for the next day.

To be continued...

posted by j @ 7:32 AM