Traditional Welsh mills are a symbol of what was once the country’s most important industry. Due to their quality, Welsh woollen products have always had significant demand throughout the centuries. Keep reading for the top 7 Welsh mills currently in operation.
1. Melin Tregwynt
Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
Melin Tregwynt is a remote mill located in Pembrokeshire. It’s been in operation since the 17th century and has stood the test of time through wars and recessions. The top items it makes are blankets, cushions, throws, clothing, bags, and other accessories. It also stocks shops such as Selfridges and Bon Marche. You can visit their online website by clicking the link above.
To watch a short video about Melin Tregwynt Mill and all the inner workings of the mill, click below.
2. Trefriw Woollen Mill
Location: Trefiw, Wales, UK
Trefriw Woollen Mills is first and foremost a family business and has been since 1859. The mill’s machinery is powered by hydroelectric turbines, or water that flows down a steel pipe. Admission is free and the mill opens their main mill machinery rooms to the public. Hand spinning and hand weaving exhibitions are also available. If you’d like to watch a textile craft demonstration, visit during a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from June to September. Unfortunately, the mill does not permit school parties.
To see some of the beautiful Welsh tapestries, rugs, garments, and other accessories that Trefriw Woollen Mills creates, click here to watch a video.
3. Solva Woollen Mill
Location: Solva, Wales, UK
Solva Woollen Mill is a family-owned and operated mill by Tom and Anna Grime. Together, the two partner to run the mill and produce high-quality products. They use 100 percent British Wool to produce primarily carpets and floor rugs. They’re open for visitors year-round on Mondays through Fridays. In the summertime, they also extend their visiting hours to the weekend. They have a tearoom that’s open until 4:45 p.m. with a selection of drinks and homemade cakes. Solva Woollen Mill also has a shop where you can browse for high-quality items and perhaps take home a great Welsh souvenir.
For a complete walk through of Solva Woollen Mill and sneak peek of the craftsmanship, check out the video.
4. Elvet Woollen Mill
Location: Carmarthen, Wales, UK
Do you like international fashion? Elvet Woollen Mill should be on the top of your list of Welsh mills to visit. The Elvet Woollen Mill is privately owned by Michael Tolputt. It has a long history of over 130 years, but today it produces exclusive garments and accessories for international fashion designers. These designers commission work directly from the mill, which demonstrates just how valuable Welsh heritage and tradition continues to be. However, Elvet Woollen Mill accepts visitors only be appointment, so be sure to visit their website by using the link above and arrange an appointment utilizing their contact form.
5. Rock Mill
Location: Ceredigion, Mid Wales, UK
Rock Mill’s claim to fame is that they are currently the only waterwheel powered commercial woollen mill currently in operation in Wales. The mill was first built in the 1890s by a family member of the current owner and has stayed within the family ever since. Today, it produces tapestry bedspreads, throws, travel rugs, scarves, ties, shawls, and blankets. The mill is open to visitors from Easter time until October. If you go to Rock Mill during the particularly warm weather, you’ll not only be captivated by the mill and history of the establishment, but by the beautiful valley that it’s been built in. There is a bridge and a stream that complement the old stone building that contains the mill itself.
6. Brynkir Woollen Mill
Location: Golan, Wales, UK
In a prior life, Brynkir Woollen Mill was actually a corn mill. In 1850, it was converted to manufactured wool and continually modified until it appears as it does today. It has been in continuous production since 1950 and utilizes hydroelectric power for production. The mill consists of two stories. On the first story (the basement), you’ll find the engines and the machines to make the wool itself. On the second story, the mill has a shop where you can see the tapestry blankets, placemats, neckties, and scarves that the mill produces. Feel free to shop around while you’re there and see the unique goods that the mill has crafted.
7. Melin Teifi
Location: Felindre, Wales, UK
Also called the Cambrian Mill, Melin Teifi has been a significant centre of the Welsh woollen industry since the nineteenth century. The current owners of the mill are Raymond and Diane Jones. They first established the mill and employed just three people. The mill has now grown, and they focus on producing flannel, tweed, blankets, quilts, and shawls. If you’re in need of commissioned pieces, Melin Teifi also specializes in Welsh costumes, flannel shirts, smocks, and more. Samples and prices are available upon request.
Additionally, as well as producing fine Welsh wool, it also houses the Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry. Not only will you be able to visit a real mill, but you can get a history lesson (with free entry!) about the Welsh wool industry and how it has helped support the country.
Final thoughts
If you’re considering visiting a Welsh mill, there’s a variety of mills in Wales that are still in operation. You can choose one with spectacular scenery, one that commissions customers, one that’s family-owned and operated, or one that offers refreshments. Whatever you’re looking for, there’s a mill that has it. Mills symbolize some of the most important elements of Welsh culture. If you live in Wales and want to get to know your history better or if you’re just visiting for a little while, this isn’t something you want to miss!{:}{:cy}Mae melinau Cymreig traddodiadol yn symbol o ddiwydiant pwysicaf y wlad ar un adeg. Oherwydd eu hansawdd, roedd galw sylweddol am gynhyrchion gwlân o Gymru ar hyd y canrifoedd. Parhewch i ddarllen i weld y 7 melin Gymreig orau sy’n gweithio ar hyn o bryd.
1. Melin Tregwynt
Lleoliad: Sir Benfro, Cymru, y DU
Melin anghysbell yw Melin Tregwynt sydd wedi’i lleoli yn Sir Benfro. Mae wedi bod yn gweithio ers yr 17eg ganrif ac mae wedi goroesi drwy ryfeloedd a dirwasgiadau. Y prif eitemau a gynhyrchir yn y felin yw blancedi, clustogau, rygiau, dillad, bagiau ac ategolion eraill. Mae hefyd yn stocio siopau fel Selfridges a Bon Marche. Gallwch ymweld â’u gwefan ar-lein trwy glicio ar y ddolen uchod.
I wylio fideo byr am Felin Tregwynt a rhannau gweithredol mewnol y felin, cliciwch isod.
2. Trefriw Woollen Mills
Lleoliad: Trefriw, Cymru, y DU
Yn anad dim, busnes teuluol yw Trefriw Woollen Mills ac mae wedi bodoli ers 1859. Mae peiriannau’r felin yn cael eu pweru gan dyrbinau trydan dŵr, neu ddŵr sy’n llifo i lawr pibell ddur. Mae mynediad i’r felin am ddim ac maen nhw’n agor eu prif ystafelloedd peiriannau melin i’r cyhoedd. Mae arddangosfeydd nyddu a gwehyddu â llaw hefyd ar gael. Os hoffech chi wylio arddangosiad crefft tecstilau, dewch i ymweld ar ddydd Mawrth, dydd Mercher neu ddydd Iau rhwng Mehefin a Medi. Yn anffodus, nid yw’r felin yn caniatáu partïon ysgol.
I weld rhai o’r tapestrïau, rygiau, dillad ac ategolion hyfryd eraill y mae Trefriw Woolen Mills yn eu creu, cliciwch yma i wylio fideo.
3. Solva Woollen Mill
Lleoliad: Solfach, Cymru, y DU
Mae Solva Woollen Mill yn felin sy’n berchen i Tom ac Anna Grime, sydd hefyd yn ei weithredu. Gyda’i gilydd, mae’r partneriaid yn rhedeg y felin ac yn cynhyrchu cynhyrchion o ansawdd uchel. Maent yn defnyddio Gwlân o Brydain yn unig i gynhyrchu carpedi a rygiau llawr yn bennaf. Maen nhw ar agor i ymwelwyr trwy gydol y flwyddyn o ddydd Llun i ddydd Gwener. Yn ystod yr haf, maen nhw hefyd yn ymestyn eu horiau ymweld i’r penwythnos. Mae ganddyn nhw ystafell de sydd ar agor tan 4:45pm gyda detholiad o ddiodydd a chacennau cartref. Hefyd, mae gan Solva Woollen Mill siop lle gallwch chwilio am eitemau o ansawdd uchel ac efallai hyd yn oed cofrodd hyfryd o Gymru i fynd adref gyda chi.
Am daith gyflawn o amgylch Solva Woollen Mill ac am gipolwg ar y crefftwaith, edrychwch ar y fideo.
4. Elvet Woollen Mill
Lleoliad: Caerfyrddin, Cymru, y DU
Ydych chi’n hoffi ffasiwn ryngwladol? Dylai Elvet Woollen Mill fod ar frig eich rhestr o felinau Cymreig i ymweld â nhw. Mae Elvet Woollen Mill yn eiddo preifat i Michael Tolputt. Mae gan y felin hanes hir o dros 130 mlynedd, ond heddiw mae’n cynhyrchu dillad ac ategolion unigryw ar gyfer dylunwyr ffasiwn rhyngwladol. Mae’r dylunwyr hyn yn comisiynu gwaith yn uniongyrchol o’r felin, sy’n dangos pa mor werthfawr yw treftadaeth a thraddodiad Cymru hyd heddiw. Fodd bynnag, mae Elvet Woollen Mill yn derbyn ymwelwyr drwy apwyntiad yn unig, felly gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn ymweld â’u gwefan trwy ddefnyddio’r ddolen uchod a threfnu apwyntiad gan ddefnyddio eu ffurflen gyswllt.
5. Rock Mill
Lleoliad: Ceredigion, Canolbarth Cymru, y DU
Honiad Rock Mill i enwogrwydd yw mai nhw yw’r unig felin wlân fasnachol sy’n cael ei phweru gan olwynion dŵr ar waith ar hyn o bryd yng Nghymru. Adeiladwyd y felin gyntaf yn yr 1890au gan aelod o deulu’r perchennog presennol ac mae wedi aros o fewn y teulu byth ers hynny. Heddiw, mae’n cynhyrchu gorchuddion gwely tapestri, taflu, rygiau teithio, sgarffiau, clymau, siolau a blancedi. Mae’r felin ar agor i ymwelwyr o amser y Pasg tan fis Hydref. Os ewch chi i Rock Mill yn ystod y tywydd arbennig o gynnes, bydd melin a hanes y sefydliad yn eich swyno, a hefyd gan y dyffryn hardd y mae wedi’i adeiladu ynddo. Mae yna bont a nant sy’n ategu’r hen adeilad carreg sy’n cynnwys y felin ei hun.
6. Brynkir Woollen Mill
Lleoliad: Golan, Cymru, y DU
Mewn bywyd blaenorol, melin ŷd oedd Melin Wlân Brynkir mewn gwirionedd. Yn 1850, cafodd ei drawsnewid yn wlân wedi’i weithgynhyrchu a’i addasu’n barhaus nes ei fod yn ymddangos fel y mae heddiw. Mae wedi bod yn cael ei gynhyrchu’n barhaus er 1950 ac mae’n defnyddio pŵer trydan dŵr ar gyfer cynhyrchu. Mae’r felin yn cynnwys dwy stori. Ar y stori gyntaf (yr islawr), fe welwch yr injans a’r peiriannau i wneud y gwlân ei hun. Ar yr ail stori, mae gan y felin siop lle gallwch chi weld y blancedi tapestri, matiau lle, neckties, a sgarffiau y mae’r felin yn eu cynhyrchu. Mae croeso i chi edrych o gwmpas tra’ch bod chi yno a gweld y nwyddau unigryw y mae’r felin wedi’u saernïo.
7. Melin Teifi
Lleoliad: Felindre, Cymru, y DU
Fe’i gelwir hefyd yn Felin Cambrian, mae Melin Teifi wedi bod yn ganolfan sylweddol yn y diwydiant gwlân yng Nghymru ers y bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg. Perchnogion presennol y felin yw Raymond a Diane Jones. Fe wnaethant sefydlu’r felin gyntaf a chyflogi tri o bobl yn unig. Mae’r felin bellach wedi tyfu, ac maen nhw’n canolbwyntio ar gynhyrchu gwlanen, tweed, blancedi, cwiltiau a siolau. Os oes angen darnau wedi’u comisiynu arnoch chi, mae Melin Teifi hefyd yn arbenigo mewn gwisgoedd Cymreig, crysau gwlanen, smociau a mwy. Mae samplau a phrisiau ar gael ar gais.
Yn ogystal, yn ogystal â chynhyrchu gwlân Cymreig, mae hefyd yn gartref i Amgueddfa Diwydiant Gwlân Cymru. Nid yn unig y byddwch chi’n gallu ymweld â melin go iawn, ond gallwch chi gael gwers hanes (gyda mynediad am ddim!) Am ddiwydiant gwlân Cymru a sut mae wedi helpu i gefnogi’r wlad.
Meddyliau terfynol
Os ydych chi’n ystyried ymweld â melin Gymraeg, mae yna amrywiaeth o felinau yng Nghymru sy’n dal i fod ar waith. Gallwch ddewis un â golygfeydd ysblennydd, un sy’n comisiynu cwsmeriaid, un sy’n eiddo i’r teulu ac yn cael ei weithredu ganddo, neu un sy’n cynnig lluniaeth. Beth bynnag rydych chi’n chwilio amdano, mae yna felin sydd â hi. Mae melinau’n symbol o rai o elfennau pwysicaf diwylliant Cymru. Os ydych chi’n byw yng Nghymru ac eisiau dod i adnabod eich hanes yn well neu os ydych chi ddim ond yn ymweld am ychydig, nid yw hyn yn rhywbeth rydych chi am ei golli!{:}