Melin Llynon, Llanddeusant

Melin Llynnon, or Llynnon Mill, is a gristmill located on the outskirts of the village of Llanddeusant on the island of Anglesey. It is the only surviving working windmill in Wales.

Melin Llynon, Llanddeusant
Melin Llynon, September 2014
Origin
Mill name	Melin Llynon
Grid reference	SH 3405 8523
Coordinates	53.3379°N 4.4939°W / 53.3379; -4.4939
Operator(s)	Isle of Anglesey County Council
Year built	1775
Information
Purpose	Corn mill
Type	Tower
Storeys	Three
No. of sails	Four
Type of sails	Common
Winding	Wheel and chain
Other information	Only working windmill in Wales

The mill was built for £529, 11s[1] in 1775–1776, on land owned by the surgeon Herbert Jones.[2][3] It is classified as a tower mill. The machinery is within a stone tower and the moving top, or cap cwch, turns so that the sails hwyliau catch the wind from any direction.[2] The tower was 9.3 metres tall and with four floors.[2] It was used to drive machines for grinding corn, oats and barley. The first miller, Thomas Jones (1756–1846), worked it until his death.[1][2] The position of miller was passed down through the generations, eventually going to a cousin William Pritchard.[1]

A storm in 1918 damaged the cap stopping it turning to face the wind.[1] It still operated intermittently for the next six years when the wind was from the south-west.[2] Eventually the mill closed and became increasingly dilapidated.[1] It remained deserted and unused until the local council restored it between 1978 and 1986. It reopened in 1986 and now produces stoneground flour.[2]