Last Alteration: Sunday 07 April 2013
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) +
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableBridge House
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
Federico arrives at San Martino
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
The Mandragora Helix arrives at San Martino
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableGloriette Piazza
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
Ferderico awaits the Doctor's arrival.
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
The Doctor is sentenced to death.
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
The Doctor is brought to the place of execution.
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
The Doctor makes his escape!
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableHercules Hall
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
The Doctor jumps off the horse ...
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
.. and hops over a balcony ...
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
... and along the edge of the hill ...
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
... and down some steps.
Access: visitorStatus: recognisablePantheon Buddha
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
Federico makes his way to the palace.
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
The Doctor barges past some soldiers ...
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 4 May 1976
... knocking one off a ladder.
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableBattery Square
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
The Doctor runs down an alley to escape his pursuers.
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
The Doctor hides from the soldiers in a marker square.
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableWatch House
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
The Doctor heads down some steps during his escape.
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
Soldiers check the catacombs ...
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
... but decide against it.
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableBristol Colonade
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
Giuliano leads the Doctor away from the palace.
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableThe Cascade
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 6 May 1976
Giuliano leads the Doctor away from the palace.
Access: visitorStatus: recognisableTemple Pond
The Masque of Mandragora
Filmed: 3 May 1976
A peasant works, unaware that the Mandragora Helix is approaching ...
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. 
There is parking near the gardens.
Routes to more distant locations:
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Cwt y Bugail Quarry (Rigcycle) (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.
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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): 10.20 miles. 
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Nant Ffrancon Pass (The Abominable Snowmen): 14.86 miles. 
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Powis Castle (Warriors Gate): 43.45 miles.
Trivia:
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Portmeirion is perhaps better known for its appearance the Patrick Mcgoohan series The Prisoner, though the production team took great care not to feature anything obviously from that show!
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]
Information, downloads, photographs and other media are provided for reference and for personal use only (planning visits etc.) - they remain the copyright of their respective authors and may not be duplicated on any other website or media without prior permission.
All screen captures are the copyright of the BBC and appear here as reference to illustrate the location in comparison with how it looked at the time of filming and the present day; no attempt is made to supercede this or any other copyright.
