Plas Brondanw: Where Clough Williams-Ellis' Legacies Blossom and Inspire
Plas Brondanw is a hidden gem nestled near Dolgellau. It’s the family home of the founder of Portmeirion and has a beautiful arts and crafts garden. In this blog post, we'll delve into the enchanting allure of Plas Brondanw and why it should be on your itinerary during your stay.
Plas Brondanw gardens
One of the most captivating aspects of Plas Brondanw is its breathtaking landscape. As you explore the grounds, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush gardens, meticulously designed to showcase the beauty of nature. The gardens are the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the visionary architect behind the renowned Italianate village of Portmeirion. His artistic touch is evident in every corner of Plas Brondanw, where ornate pathways wind through vibrant flower beds, and charming follies emerge from the verdant surroundings. The estate offers a perfect setting for leisurely strolls, picnics, and moments of quiet contemplation.
A rare moment of sibling co-operation!
Plas Brondanw is not just a paradise of flora; its historic architecture is equally captivating. The estate's 16th-century house showcases a unique blend of design styles that have evolved over the centuries.
Once the childhood home of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, the estate resonates with his artistic influence and passion for aesthetics. You can see the similar architectural styles in both locations as well as the striking blue and yellow colour schemes across the estate. It’s much quieter and smaller than Portmeirion (also cheaper entry fees) the serene gardens with lots of hedges and alcoves were a captivating place for our young children to play. We’d recommend it as a family-friendly destination for a walk and visit to the café. We have only had cake there but the lunch menus gets very good TripAdvisor reviews so we plan to go for lunch there soon.
The house is home to the Oriel Brondanw art gallery and cultural centre, hosting exhibitions, residencies and workshops. The house is home to the archive of another less-known creative member of the family Susan Williams-Ellis. Susan co-founded Portmeirion Pottery with her husband and her designs are integral to the legacy and image the pottery holds today. Some of the gallery displays include highlights from the archive of her designs. It’s small but interesting and worth a visit. She was visionary and clearly her father's daughter in an era when the idea of the "working woman" was an anathema, the entrepreneurial success of Susan Williams-Ellis, as a designer and a businesswoman (as well as wife and mother), was unusual.
On the way out you must not miss the amazing folly. Up a few steps by the car park leads you to a four storey stone structure built as a wedding present. Our children also got some entertainment from the cows in the field by the car park!
Key information:
30 minute drive away, carpark charge is deducted from admission if you remember to ask (LL48 6DB - LL48 6DB - https://goo.gl/maps/8QJvRWUM3MJh7EuJ8).
Entry from £5 to the gardens and entry to the house is free.
Average visit time 2 hours.
Views of Plas Brondanw
