In early 2011 a rapid appraisal of all known mill sites in southwest Wales was undertaken, as the first element of a larger project. The overall aims of the project are to identify pre-1750 mill sites that may have earthworks or other remains associated with them. Mill buildings are not being considered in this project.
Caer-Bwdy Mill, St Davids, a typical abandoned mill included in the study as shown on the Ordnance Survey 1st 1:2500 map
During 2012-13 mill sites in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion were investigated in greater detail and a selection of sites visited, and during 2013-14 sites in Pembrokeshire were visited. The aim of the project was to identify those sites that may have surviving evidence pre-dating 1750. Extant mills that have surviving machinery and mill buildings converted to other uses were excluded from the survey as it was considered unlikely that they would pre-date 1750. The project therefore focused on abandoned mills. Approximately 100 sites were visited in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, and about 80 in Pembrokeshire. Survival was variable, with some sites having ruined mill buildings and retaining good evidence for their water supply in the form of mill ponds and leats, whilst others have fared badly with virtually no physical remains surviving.
Abandoned spur wheel and mill stones at Melin Pen y Bont, Carmarthenshire
Ruined corn mill of FelinFach, Ceredigion
Medieval Mills Report 2012-14 with Gazetteer (PDF format – opens in a new window)
