National Mills Weekend takes place across the UK every May when more than 300 windmills and watermills open to the public to celebrate our milling heritage. Below we list those mills in Wales who are opening their doors to the public this year.
Central Wales and Carmarthenshire
Museum of Welsh Woollen Industry, Drefach Felindre, near Llandysul, SA44 5UP
On the site of a 1902 mill, recently redeveloped to show how the processes turned raw wool into finished cloth.
Location – Grid reference – SN 355 392 In village of Drefach Felindre follow brown direction signs.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 10.00 – 17.00
Contact – 02920 573070
Ceredigion
Felin Ganol Watermill, Llanrhystud near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 5AL
A complete, restored working watermill producing a range of organic flours. Further details about the restoration of the mill and flours currently being milled are on the website www.felinganol.co.uk
Location – Grid reference SN 542 698 Approaching Llanrhystud from Aberystwyth, turn 1st left after speed limit sign, before entering village, mill is 100 yards up school lane. Turn left after the school.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 7th 10.30 – 16.00 milling demonstration at 11.00am and 2.30pm.
Contact – Andy and Anne Parry- 01974 202272
Y Felin Fach , Blaenpennal, near Tregaron, Ceredigion. SY23 4TP
A small village oat mill, dating back to at least 1690. Currently under restoration, but complete with machinery and drying kiln. Waterwheel now restored.
Location – Grid reference – SN 629 643 . Turn off A485, 2 miles south of Bronant, signposted Blaenpennal. Drive down through village, past chapel and Pentre Bach, mill is next on the left, just before river bridge. White buildings with pond in front.
National Mills Weekend opening Not open for 2022 – due to work in progress
Contact – Andrew & Eileen Findon – 01974 251231 or melinaucymru@gmail.com
Powys
Dyfi Furnace, Furnace, near Machynlleth, Powys.
A charcoal blast furnace built in 1755, which was powered by a spectacular waterwheel.
Location – Grid reference – SN 685 951 . On A487, Aberystwyth to Machynlleth road at Furnace. Car park opposite.
National Mills Weekend opening – Site open, Sat / Sun 10.00 – 16.00
Pontdolgoch Sawmill, Pontgolgoch, near Caersws, Powys, SY17 5NJ
A large circular saw and wood working complex powered by an overshot waterwheel, virtually unchanged since the early 1900’s.
Location – Grid reference – SO 010 937. Off A470 Newtown to Machynlleth road at Pontdolgoch.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 10.00 – 16.00
Contact – Tim Chilton – 01686 688144
Coed Trewernau Mill, near Crossgates, Llandrindod Wells LD1 6PG
National Mills Weekend – Open on Saturday 7th May 2.00 – 4.30pm
Entry free, limited parking either at roadside or by mill.
Location – Grid reference – SO 081676
Take minor road towards Abbey-cwm-hir off A483, 1.25 miles N of Crossgates. Mill is on left after about 0.8 mile, down short steep unmade track.
Very small rural corn mill, lacking water wheel but retaining most of its working parts. Wooden machinery. An exceptional and important survival.
Contact – Mel Walters – 0771 2663202
Pontysgawrhyd Mill, Meifod, Welshpool, Powys. SY22 6XT
A large scale mill built in 1810, built on a previous 16th century mill site and waterways, currently under restoration, retains undershot waterwheel , two pairs of mill stones. Machinery and wheel thought to be by William Hazeldine.
Location – Grid reference – SJ 195155. Turn off A495 3 miles north of Meifod, on to A490 towards Welshpool for ¾ mile, mill entrance on the right just before bridge.
National Mills Weekend opening – Sunday 10.00 – 18.00
Contact Dave or Jane Wadley – 01938-500827
Talgarth Mill, The Square, Talgarth, Powys. LD3 0BW
A flour mill stopped working in the 1940’s , but now part of a community project to re-vitalise the town. Extensive renovation project, to bring back to working condition, now complete. Hope to be grinding flour on National Mills Weekend, with tours.
Location – In centre of town , next to town hall.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 15.00
Contact –
Mike Goode 01874-711352 www.talgarthmill.org.uk
South West Wales
Y Felin , St Dogmaels, Nr Cardigan. SA43 3DY
A working watermill probably late 13th century, restored by present family in 1981. Producing wholemeal and speciality flours.
Location – Grid reference SN 165 459. Follow signs for St Dogmaels Abbey. About 1 mile west of Cardigan. Second turning on left on entering village
National Mills Weekend opening times – Saturday 9.0– 13.00
Contact – Emma Hall – 07825-250562 or 01239 613999
Carew Tide Mill, near Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
A corn mill built in early 1800’s, powered by the tidal currents, to drive six pairs of mill stones. Open for visitors but not operating at present.
Location – Grid reference SN 042 038 Turn off A4777 onto A4075 at Carew. Mill is 1st left in Mill Lane.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 16.30 .
Contact 01646 651782
There is further information about the Tidal Mill here
MelinTregwynt, Castle Morris, near Haverfordwest . SA62 5UX
A successful mill, still producing unique woollen goods which are exported worldwide.
Location – Grid reference SM 894 348 . Off A487 Fishguard to St Davids road, about 5 miles from Fishguard.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 17.00,
Contact – Eifion Griffiths – 01348 891225 www.melintregwynt.co.uk
Solva Woollen Mill, Middle Mill, Solva, Pembs, SA62 6XD
A working woollen mill, producing large range of woollen goods,
Location – Grid reference – SM 805258
National Mills Weekend opening – Not open for 2022, but normally open Monday to Friday 10.0 – 17.30.
Contact – 01437-721112
South Wales
St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life , near Cardiff.
A museum site containing , a relocated gorse mill, woollen mill, tannery , sawmill, were water powered on their original sites. The corn mill with a waterwheel operated by re-circulated water.
Location –Grid ref- ST 110 770. Off junction 33 of M4, West of Cardiff, follow brown signs.
National Mills Weekend – open Sat / Sun 10.00 – 17.00 Free admission. Car park £6.00
Contact – 0300 1112333 www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans
Y Felin Ddwr, Parkmill and Craft Centre , Gower, Swansea, SA3 3EM
A corn mill and farm complex retaining waterwheel and machinery, currently operating as a heritage and craft centre.
Location – Grid reference – SS 534 893
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 10.00 – 17.00 Sunday – 10.00 – 17.00
Cheese and Cider Festival on this weekend.
Contact – Sarah, 01792 371206 www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk
Mathern Mill, Mathern, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6LG,
A corn mill whose existence can be traced back to at least the 17th century. Although milling ceased in 1968 much of the Victorian machinery remains intact. There are 4 pairs of millstones and a brick built engine house which housed a steam engine to supplement the water supply. The mill is unrestored and only the ground floor will be open to visitors.
Location – Grid reference ST515916 – On entering Mathern village from A48, turn right at the war memorial and follow lane for 400yds.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday 14.00 – 17.00 , Sunday 14.00 – 17.00
Contact Dave & Jan Bowen 01291- 622282
Aberdulais Tin Works and waterfall, Neath, SA10 8EU.
This steep gorge is the site of an early tinplate works. Now contains what is claimed to be the largest water wheel in Europe generating electricity, together with a water turbine driving another generator. Owned by the National Trust .
Location – Grid reference SS 771994 At Aberdulais, on A4109, about 3 miles NE of Neath.
National Mills Weekend opening – Not open at preesent
Entry fee if not National Trust member.
Contact – 01639-636674 aberdulais@nationaltrust.org.uk
Website – http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdulais-tinworks-and-waterfall/
Llanyrafon Watermill, Cwmbran, NP44 8HP
A 3-storey stone built mill, which worked until 1951, and was damaged by fire subsequently.
Now owned by Torfaen Council and under restoration by the Friends of Llanyrafon Mill, when funding permits. Has iron machinery and a small overshot waterwheel.
Location – Grid reference ST303946 Llanyrafon Way,Cwmbran, Torfaen. Leave A4042 at Crown roundabout towards Cwmbran, on Llanfrechfa Way, Take 4th on right, then immediately left on to tarmac path to social club and mill car park.
National Mills Weekend opening – By prior appointment Contact – Marion Davies, tel 01633-482780. Email – marmill@marmill321.plus.com
Free admission, but donations would be welcome.
At other times – Bank Holidays by appointment, or phone before visiting.
Website – www.welshmills.org.uk/llanyrafon.m0.html
North Wales
Llynon Windmill, Llanddeusant, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 4AB
Built in 1775, in operation until storm damaged in 1918, but now restored as the only working windmill in Wales. Location – Follow brown signs.
National Mills Weekend opening – Saturday and Sunday 10.00 – 16.00
Contact – 01248-858324
National Slate Museum, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
A 50ft waterwheel built in Caernarfon in 1870 which turns again, is part of the restored foundry and workshops complex, and quarrymens’ houses. |Slate splitting demonstrations .
Café and shop .
Location – Grid reference SH 586 603 . Off A4086 at Llanberis . Follow signs to Llyn Padarn Country Park.
National Mills Weekend – Sunday 10.00 – 16.00
Last admission – 1 hour before closing, but recommend at least 2 hours before closing.
Contact – 0300-1112333 www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/slate
Trefriw Woollen Mills, Conwy Valley LL27 ONQ
Originally the site of a water-powered fulling mill, or pandy, the present building dates from the 1960s. The machinery is powered by a Boving hydro-electic turbine dating from the 1940s. Traditional methods of production are used for Welsh bedspreads, tweeds and travelling rugs. Museum of carding engines, mules, etc
Location In centre of Trefriw, on B5106 Betws-y-Coed to Conwy road, about 5 miles N of Betws-y-Coed. Grid reference: SH 780 631
National Mills Weekend opening times – Saturday 10.00-17.00 Shop and turbine house.
Contact – Elaine Williams, tel. 01492 640462.
Some mills may charge for admission, but most will accept donations towards expenses or their restoration fund.
If you are unable to visit Welsh mills in person this year there will be chance to have a virtual tour of some of them on ourYoutube channel. You can find information about some of our members’ mills here too.