Portmeirion Village is the lifelong project of Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who built it between 1925 and 1973. He bought the Aber Iâ' estate in 1925 after years of searching for the right location for his idea of an ideal coastal village. When the land near Penrhyndeudraeth became available, he did not hesitate. Clough believed that a naturally beautiful place could be developed without damaging it. In fact, he felt that thoughtful design could make the setting even better. The site offered steep cliffs, woodland, streams, sandy estuary views, and a small group of older buildings, all of which suited his vision perfectly.
However, the history of the land goes back much further. In 1188, Gerald of Wales recorded the construction of Castell Deudraeth in this area. By 1700, scholar Edward Lhuyd described the castle as a ruin overlooking the peninsula, still known then as Aber Iâ. In 1861, writer Richard Richards painted a picture of a quiet estate with gardens, wildlife, and a large mansion by the shore.
When Clough acquired the land, he described it as neglected and abandoned. He renamed it Portmeirion, combining its coastal setting with the Welsh name for Merionethshire. One of his first projects was turning the old house into Hotel Portmeirion, which opened in April 1926. Construction commenced in two phases. From 1925 to 1939, the village plan took shape. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Clough added classical details and reused parts of buildings saved from demolition. The final building, the Tollgate, was completed when he was 93 years old.
