Bridge House

Bridge House (1958; listed Grade II 1971) forms the second of Portmeirion's two entrance gateways. A Classical building of early eighteenth century character the main facade faces south, its Rusticated podium pierced by a basket arch. It has Doric pilasters with cornice and coping topped by four tall urns. To the rear it has one large Venetian ogee arched window from  Arnos Court with diamond panes. Bridge House is one of Clough's most successful second phase (1954 to 1976) constructions at Portmeirion. As with the Gate House, Clough fully exploited the existing terrain: the building rises on exposed brick arches from the living rock on both sides of the road. Clough described it as "a classical thing, meticulously detailed... known locally as Carlton House Terrace". This was is marked contrast to the arts and crafts style of neighbouring Toll House. His later works were not necessarily intended to match up with earlier structures, but rather to provide "piquant contrasts whereby both old and new would gain in interest. Thus, where I judged that I had perhaps a trifle overplayed the picturesque, I would pop in a bland facade of serene classical formality: for example, the village aspect of the Bridge House as seen beyond the shamelessly picturesque front of the black weather-boarded Toll House."