Visit Plas Brondanw Garden, home for over 70 years to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. The garden occupies a lovely site and case numerous compartments, formed with yew hedging and topiary, and is ornamented with terraces, urns and statuary.
Afterwards continue to Portmeirion acquired in 1925 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis as the site for his ideal village – the grounds cover 70 acres in which there are nearly 20 miles of pathways through the sub-tropical forest with some of the country’s largest trees. There is also a Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lake. Many of the unusual species date from the 19th century: monkey puzzle trees, pines, magnolias, camellias and giant redwoods. Portmeirion is, of course, well-known as the setting for the cult 1960s television show, The Prisoner.
This afternoon, from harbour at Porthmadog, take a ride on the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway on a 13½-mile journey to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or through it. Return to the hotel and dine tonight at leisure.
Accommodations: The Royal Oak (Breakfast)