Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Pant-yr-Ynn Mill
Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Bethania, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, designated on 23 January 1974.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Industrial
- Date of designation
- 23 January 1974
- Welsh name
- Melin Pant-yr-Ynn
- Locality
- Bethania
- Town
- Blaenau Ffestiniog
- Community
- Ffestiniog
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.99016, -3.92512
- Cadw reference
- 4707
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 119 Snowdon (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Occupying a commanding hillside site overlooking Blaenau Ffestiniog and approximately 1.5km SE of its centre. Accessed off a lane running NE from the A470 at the junction of Manod road and the High Street in Bethania.
History
Water-powered slab cutting mill first recorded in 1846, though likely to be of late C18/early C19 origin. It served the Diffwys Casson quarry (the earliest in Blaenau) and was used for the sawing and planing of slate slabs. From 1865-1873 the building was used as a school following the construction of a newer and closer mill at the quarry. In 1881 Jacob Zadrach Jones converted it into a woollen mill which was subsequently run in conjunction with Moelwyn mill in Tanygrisiau, the former as the manufactory and the latter as the finishing mill. Amongst the items produced were tweeds, flannel, stockings, Welsh tapestries, blankets and knitting wool. Extended northwards in the early C20, the mill and its sister mill in Tanygrisiau finally ceased production in 1964.
Exterior
Single-storey rubble building with large waterwheel to S and later 2-storey addition to N; modern slate roofs with continuous skylight to mill section and oversailing eaves. 5 large 30-pane windows to the long W side of the mill (of which 2 are modern replacements). E side partly built against the hill with reduced entrance towards S; chamfered C19 doorcase and boarded door; large slate-stone lintel. 2 further (blocked) entrances to R beyond. Small slate-flagged yard to northern part. Original arched entrance to N gable discernible from within though now hidden externally by the addition. This has a stepped-up first-floor catslide bay with continuous modern glazing. Modern multi-pane windows and plain bargeboards to gable end; this with boarded entrance doors.
External overshot waterwheel (7m diameter) served by the Afon Du and via a raised leat carried on a slightly tapering rubble pier; wheel and leat restored.
Interior
Suspended and boarded C19 pine floor to mill section. 4-bay roof with king-post trusses (c1881). This carries the complete original overhead transmission shafting mechanism with 16 separate wheels, formerly driving the machinery with belts.
Reason for designation
A well-preserved and important surviving slab- and subsequently woollen mill retaining its waterwheel and internal shafting.
Nearby in the register
- 7 Uwchllaw'rffynnon TerraceDomesticunder 1 mi
- 6 Uwchllaw'rffynnon TerraceDomesticunder 1 mi
- 5 Uwchllaw'rffynnon TerraceDomesticunder 1 mi
- 4 Uwchllaw'rffynnon TerraceDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.