Cambrian Woollen Mill facts for kids
Mill in 2007
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 Location in Powys
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| Built | 1890s |
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| Location | Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, Wales |
| Coordinates | 52°06′53″N 3°37′49″W / 52.114694°N 3.630349°W |
| Industry | Woollen industry in Wales |
| Products | Blankets, throws, rugs, shawls |
The Cambrian Woollen Mill is a special place in Wales. It's one of the few old wool factories still working today! You can find it just north of Llanwrtyd Wells in Powys. This mill is famous for making beautiful Welsh tartans, which are special patterned fabrics. The main building itself is very old, dating back to 1820.
The Mill's Story
The Cambrian Mill is located next to the Afon Irfon river. It's also close to the Mynydd Epynt and Cambrian Mountains. The Brecon Beacons are to the south.
The building started as a corn mill in 1820. A corn mill grinds grains like wheat. Later, it became a mill for weaving Welsh flannel. Flannel is a soft, warm fabric made from wool.
The mill used local wool. Workers would prepare the wool by carding it (combing the fibers). Then they dyed it (added color) and spun it into yarn. Finally, they wove the yarn into fabric. Until about 1860, the mill used water power to run its machines.
Before World War II (1939-1945), the mill made wool products for important people. These included Queen Mary and the Queen Mother. Even Queen Elizabeth II visited the mill before she became queen. King Charles III also visited when he was the Prince of Wales.
The woollen industry in Wales became smaller in the 1900s. This was partly because newer factories in England made things faster. But the Cambrian Mill is one of the few old mills that are still open today.
What the Mill Makes Today
Today, the mill creates many different wool products. These include warm blankets, soft throws, scarves, ties, and hats. They also make fabric.
The mill is well-known for designing and weaving 37 different Welsh tartans. These are unique patterns that represent different parts of Wales. The mill weaves all the wool cloth for the Welsh Tartan Centre.
You can also visit the mill! It has a tea and gift shop where you can buy their products. There's also a crafts studio and an exhibit. The exhibit shows how weaving was done in Wales a long time ago.
In 2014, a designer named Hefin Jones created a special space suit. It was made from Welsh wool! The wool came from the Cambrian Woollen Mill and other Welsh mills.
Images for kids
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Mill exterior, early 20th century
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Textile machinery in the 1940s
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Textile machinery in the 1940s
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