Melin Llynon, Llanddeusant

Melin Llynon, or Llynon Mill, is a gristmill located on the outskirts of the village of Llanddeusant on the island of Anglesey. It is the only surviving working windmill in Wales.

Melin Llynon, Llanddeusant
Melin Llynon, September 2014
Origin
Mill nameLlynon Mill (Welsh: Melin Llynon)
Mill locationLlanddeusant
Grid referenceSH 3405 8523
Coordinates53.3379°N 4.4939°W / 53.3379; -4.4939
Operator(s)Richard Holt
Year built1775
Information
PurposeCorn mill
TypeTower
StoreysThree
No. of sailsFour
Type of sailsCommon
WindingWheel and chain
Other informationOnly working windmill in Wales

Founding

The mill was built for £529, 11s[1] in 1775–1776, on land owned by the surgeon Herbert Jones.[2][3][4] It is classified as a tower mill. The machinery is within a stone tower and the moving top, or cap cwch, turns so that the sails hwyliau catch the wind from any direction.[3] The tower was 9.3 metres tall and with four floors.[3] It was used to drive machines for grinding corn, oats and barley. The first miller, Thomas Jones (1756–1846), worked it until his death.[1][3] The position of miller was passed down through the generations, eventually going to a cousin William Pritchard.[1] It is now the only working windmill in Anglesey and Wales. Also within the site is a reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse hut building.[5]

Llynnon mill Iron Age roundhouse reconstruction

Damage

A storm in 1918 damaged the cap stopping it from turning to face the wind.[1] It still operated intermittently for the next six years when the wind was from the southwest.[3] Eventually the mill closed and became increasingly dilapidated.[1] It remained deserted and unused until the local council restored it between 1978 and 1986. It reopened in 1986 and now produces stoneground flour.[3]

Reconstruction and ownership
Melin Llynnon in 1976, before its restoration

The windmill was previously reconstructed in the 1980s by the Isle of Anglesey County Council. Llynnon Mill is currently owned by Richard Holt and his family who purchased the mill in 2019, prior to the business venture Richard, a native of Angelsey was a pastry chef in London, England. His partner, sister, and father all work at the mill as part of the family business. Also at the site is a chocolate factory and donut (Mônuts) shop. Llynon Mill also teamed with the Llanfairpwll distillery to create a gin alcoholic beverage. And there is a model saffari on site. And also a reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse.[6][7][8][9]

References
  1. "Melin Llynon". www.anglesey-history.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  2. "Windmill & Roundhouses". melinllynon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  3. Perkins, Donald. "Melin Llynnon Mill". www.llansadwrn-wx.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  4. "Snowdonia Guide".
  5. "Llynnon Mill". visitwales.com. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  6. "Lynnon Mill". melinllynon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  7. "Gin". melinllynon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  8. "Chocolate". melinllynon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  9. "Model Safari". melinllynon.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
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