Last Alteration: Monday 19 November 2007
Portmeirion
Portmeirion
Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd
Built as an example of how a naturally beautiful landscape could be developed without spoiling it, the village was start on a private peninsula in Snowdonia by Clough Williams-Ellis; he steadily designed and enhanced the 70 acre area during the course of his life, and the village has some 50 buildings making up hotels, apartments and shops.
Since the time of filming, the woodlands have had extensive clearing and restructuring, especially around the lakes.
How to get here:
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Road: A5 - Follow the A5, and then head south on the A470 towards Blaenau Ffestiniog. Turn right onto the A496, and then left onto the A487 towards Porthmadog. As you reach Minffordd, turn left and head down to Portmeirion. (11 miles, 17m) +
Other nearby locations:
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Plas Brondanw (The Five Doctors). Road (4.3 miles, 10m) : Head north from Portmeirion, then turn right onto the A487.
When you reach Penrhyndeudraeth, turn left onto the A4085 and carry
onto Garreg. From here, turn right onto Plas Brondaw. 
Unknown
Routes to more distant locations:
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Cwt y Bugail Quarry (McAlpine) (The Five Doctors). Road (13 miles, 27m) : Head north from Portmeirion, then turn right onto the A487. When you reach the A496, turn left and head towards Blaenau Ffestiniog. Turn right onto the B4391 (Allt Goch) and head to Ffestiniog. Once in town, head northeast on the A470, then turn right, heading under the railway and on towards Cwm Teigl. The quarry is eventually at the end of the (steep?) road. Note: the whereabouts of filming at this location is unconfirmed.
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Cwm Bychan (The Five Doctors). Road (12 miles, 29m) : Head out of Portmeirion, then turn right onto the A487. At
Penrhyndeudraeth, either turn right and cross the toll bridge to the A496,
or continue along the A487 until you reach the A496 at Maentwrog (8 miles,
10m). Follow the A496 to Harlech, then turn left up the hill, crossing
the B4573 and up until you reach a crossroads, turning left. Follow this,
bearing right not long after a standing stone, and this then heads down
a valley to a river. Make a sharp left and then follow the road as it head
up to the lake. There is a car park at the end of the lake (fee payable)
Additional locations as the crow flies:
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Carreg Y Foel Gron (The Five Doctors): 9.97 miles.
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Nant Ffrancon Pass (The Abominable Snowmen): 14.63 miles.
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Powis Castle (Warriors Gate): 43.38 miles.
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Peckforton Castle (The Time Warrior): 59.90 miles.
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Blists Hill Victorian Town (The Mark of the Rani): 71.55 miles.
Further links about the location
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Portmeirion - Official village website
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Virtual Portmeirion - Lots of information, maps and pictures of the village.
Related Stories
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The Masque of Mandragora [3-6 May 1976]
All photographs are the copyright of the photographer and may not be utilised on any other website or media without permission.
All screen captures are the copyright of the BBC and appear here as reference to illustrate the location in comparison with it looked at the time of filming and the present day; no attempt is made to supercede this or any other copyright.
