Buyer's Guide
Nestled in a remote wooded valley on the Pembrokeshire coast is Melin Tregwynt, a small whitewashed woollen mill. There has been a mill here since the 17th century when local farmers would bring fleeces to be woven into sturdy Welsh wool blankets.
Today, the mill is still a hub of activity, with coachloads of tourists browsing in the gift shop and enjoying Welsh cakes in the stylish cafe. The old-fashioned hand looms and flying-shuttle looms have been replaced with modern rapier models, but the mill's signature double cloth ‘Cartheni’ - upholstery tweeds and Welsh blankets are still being made, and business is booming.
Sadly, Melin Tregwynt is one of only few woollen mills in Wales that have survived and thrived the remnants of a huge industry that peaked in the late 1800s. InToday, there are just five in the whole Country. It was a major industry,’ explains Jen Jones, a specialist dealer in antique Welsh blankets. ‘There were mills up and down the rivers in north and south Wales. As well as blankets, the mills made cloth, including the flannel for the red-coat soldiers’ uniforms in the Crimean War.'
