Madam,

Years ago we used to enjoy visiting Portmeirion with our dogs. But no more! These days they have a draconian ‘No dogs’ policy because they want their customers to enjoy “a quality visitor experience” – and, evidently, dogs would prevent this! How?

I quote their policy: “Dogs, by nature, can damage sensitive habitats as well as harass or kill vulnerable wildlife. The no-dogs policy is also applied to protect the many people who may be picnicking, walking, swimming or relaxing in the grounds.”

Are we really supposed to believe that the average family dog will go rampaging around Portmeirion harassing and slaughtering vulnerable wildlife?

And damaging sensitive habitats? Not to mention the need to protect other visitors? What do they think dogs would do to these other visitors? Tear their throats out?

So, let’s visit Portmeirion. We’ve got the dog in the car so we can let him out for a run round the car park or take him for a walk before we enjoy our quality visitor experience. Oh no, you can’t! The ‘No dogs’ policy includes (I quote) “ .. all of the Portmeirion estate including the main driveway …”. The car parks are part of the Portmeirion estate – No dogs allowed.

The Portmeirion estate is also well provided with public footpaths and bridleways but no dogs allowed.

So what to do? Go to Bodnant Gardens. After a trial period the National Trust now allow people to take dogs on certain days. Surprisingly (for the Portmeirion Management at least) Bodnant doesn’t suffer wholesale desecration of their sensitive habitats – and, to date, no visitors have needing protecting from rampaging savage hounds!

Bryan Green, Tan-y-Bryn, Prenteg, Porthmadog.