700 Years of weaving history Cambrian Woollen Mill
links Our area Home

The uplands of Wales are well suited to sheep farming, and where you have sheep you usually have weaving. For centuries weaving developed as a domestic art to meet the needs of the family, and later as a commercial enterprise. In the mid 19th century the Welsh woollen industry was comparable in size to that in Yorkshire. Today it is one of very few woollen mills remaining in Wales.

The Wonderful World of Welsh Wool

Cambrian Woollen MillA fabulous state-of-the-art exposition takes visitors through 700 years of weaving history in “The Wonderful World of Welsh Wool”. Ieuan, a friendly animatronic shepherd, introduces the tour with the aid of a film tracing the evolution of sheep farming and many changes to the woollen industry through the ages. Next comes a walk through the exhibition area with its sounds and smells to the first of a number of light and sound tableaux where a young farmer advises that they have sheared 300 sheep today. A little further on a reconstructed watermill reminds us of the time when the Cambrian used the force of the nearby Nant Cerdyn.

Antique weaving loomThis part of the tour concludes with a veteran of the Great War surrounded by examples of the long association this mill has had with the armed forces and the Royal British Legion. Since 1917 disabled people have been employed here, many the victims of foreign conflict.

The guided tour then visits the production floors where you will learn about the processes which turn raw fleece into finished cloth. The stages in the processing include dyeing, blending, Modern Weaving loomwilleying, carding, spinning, warping and finally weaving. The warp threads of each piece of cloth are set up on a loom, then the weft threads are woven into them to form the fabric. You can watch a number of looms working. The cloth is then sent away for washing, shrinking and finishing.

Cambrian Mill restaurantWe specialise in products using yarn from different breeds of British sheep and are particularly well known for our Jacob wool range. Some of our cloth we have made up into exclusive garments for ladies and gentlemen, and these can be seen in our shop which also stocks a range of crafts and gifts. We also produce cloth for well known fashion houses and supply a large number of craft and gift shops throughout the UK.

After the tour there is the opportunity to sample Welsh hospitality in our licensed restaurant. Drinks and snacks are available as well as more substantial lunchtime cuisine. Home made cakes and bara brith are a delicious teatime treat.


Powys Web Project Links  |  Our area  |  Contact |  How to find us  |  The Mill  |  Home
The Cambrian Mill Gift Shop & Heritage Centre, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales LD5 4SD.
Telephone and fax: 01591 610420
E-mail info@cambrian-mill.co.uk • web http://www.cambrian-mill.co.uk
<Website by Orphans    onlineWales Internet ©2001