Talgarth Mill was restored to full working order in 2011. Funding from The Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund allowed a community group, together with the support of the mill owner, to completely rebuild the infrastructure and machinery to make milling possible once again. Now run by volunteers, our millers, baggers, guides, and gardeners, ensure that the Mill has a long-term future in the local community.
The new mill wheel was forged by a local blacksmith, just 2 miles up the road. The installation proved challenging, due to the location and weight of the new equipment. The wheel had to be craned in over the roof and river and took many weeks to fully install. A real labour of love.
The wheel is powered by water supplied from the newly restored leat, connected via a sluice gate to the river Ellwye, just 100 metres up stream. The water supply is controlled by the millers during milling and closed at the end of each day.
The best view of the waterwheel is from our leat and riverside gardens. Two walkways allow visitors to watch the water’s journey from the river to the wheel and back to join the river flow. Dippers, crayfish, trout, eels, and otters have all been spotted from the viewing platforms.
May 2021 – access is available to the Mill gardens, riverside walkway, and waterwheel viewing platform. No formal tours are currently available and admissions are by donation only at this time. Visitors are welcome to take any purchases from Bara Melin Talgarth into the gardens with them.