List of windmills in Anglesey facts for kids

Anglesey, an island off the coast of Wales, was once a very windy place! Because of this, it became home to many amazing windmills. These tall, spinning structures were super important for grinding grain into flour, which people used to make bread and other foods. Imagine a time before big factories – windmills were like the busy machines of their day, helping communities get their daily bread.

Anglesey had a huge number of windmills, with nearly 50 of them dotted across the island. Most of these were tower mills. A tower mill is a type of windmill with a tall, round stone or brick tower. The top part, called the cap, could turn to face the wind, making sure the sails always caught the breeze. Inside, big grinding stones would crush the grain.

Why so many windmills in Anglesey?

Anglesey's flat landscape and strong winds made it a perfect spot for windmills. Before electricity and steam power, wind was a free and powerful energy source. Farmers grew a lot of grain, and these mills were essential for turning it into flour. They were often built in the 18th and 19th centuries, a time when Anglesey's population was growing and needed more food.

Types of Windmills

Almost all the windmills in Anglesey were tower mills. These are easy to spot because of their strong, round stone or brick towers. Unlike older wooden windmills, tower mills were very durable and could stand up to strong winds. Their design allowed the top part, which held the sails, to rotate. This meant the miller could always turn the sails to face the wind, no matter which way it was blowing.

Famous Anglesey Windmills

Many windmills on Anglesey have interesting stories. Here are a few examples:

Melin Llynon

Melin Llynon is the only working windmill in Wales.

Located in Llanddeusant, Melin Llynon was built in 1776. It's special because it's the only working windmill in Wales! It has been carefully restored, and you can visit it to see how flour was made long ago. It's like stepping back in time to see a real working piece of history.

Melin Adda

Melin Adda in Amlwch.

Found in Amlwch, Melin Adda was first mentioned in the 1790s. It's a great example of a tower mill that once played a big role in the local community. Many of these old mills are now ruins or have been turned into homes, but they still stand as reminders of Anglesey's past.

Melin Gallt y Benddu

Melin Gallt y Benddu, one of Anglesey's oldest windmills.

This mill near Llanerch-y-medd is one of the oldest recorded windmills on the island, dating back to 1737. It shows how early people in Anglesey started using wind power to help with their daily lives.

Melin Hermon

Melin Hermon in Bodorgan.

Built in 1743, Melin Hermon in Bodorgan is another one of Anglesey's older windmills. It highlights how important these structures were across the entire island, not just in one area.

The Decline of Windmills

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, windmills started to become less common. New technologies like steam engines and later, electric motors, could grind grain faster and more reliably. They didn't depend on the wind, so they could work all the time. Many windmills fell into disuse, and their sails and machinery were removed. Some became ruins, while others were converted into houses or other buildings.

Even though most windmills no longer grind grain, they are an important part of Anglesey's history. They remind us of how people used natural power to live and work, and they add a unique charm to the island's landscape.

Images for kids

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  Melin y Borth in Amlwch.

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  Melin Mynydd Parys near Amlwch.

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  Melin Frogwy in Bodffordd.

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  Melin Manaw in Bodffordd.

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  Melin Newydd in Bodffordd, now a home.

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  Melin Llidiart in Capel Coch.

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  Melin Geirn near Carmel.

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  Melin Drylliau in Cylch-y-Garn.

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  Melin Maengwyn in Gaerwen.

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  Melin Sguthan in Gaerwen (also known as Union Mill).

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  Melin Gwlachmai.

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  Melin Yr Ogaf in Holyhead.

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  Melin Cemaes in Llanbadrig.

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  Melin Pen y Bellaf in Llanbedrgoch.

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  Twr y Felin in Llandegfan.

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  Melin Maelgwyn in Llanfaelog.

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  Melin y Bont in Llanfaelog.

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  Melin Rhos Fawr in Llanfair-Mathafarn-Eithaf.

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  Melin Cefn Coch in Llanfechell.

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  Melin Wynt y Criaig in Llangefni.

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  Melin Llangoed.

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  Melin Mechell.

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  Melin Orsedd in Rhoscefnhir.

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  Stanley Mill in Trearddur Bay.

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  A tower mill in Trearddur.