Powys Digital History Project

Some watermills of the Rhayader area
Argoed Mill 1

The mill on the estate
As with other mills in the area the exact origins of this mill are unclear but the first edition of the 1" Ordnance Survey map for the area appears to show buildings and what could possibly be a mill pond. (Compare with the later 25" map below). The mill stands on Nant Treflyn, a tributary of the Wye, not far from Doldowlod Hall.

Detail from
1st edition
Ordnance Survey
1" map of 1833

Powys County Archives

detail from 1" map
The mill is marked on the tithe map of 1840 and is listed in the accompanying apportionment as Argoed Fawr Mill. Local historian Stedman Davies claims the mill was also known as Melin Rhos, had three sets of grind stones, and was grinding corn up to the 1930's. Mr G. Phillips, manager of the Doldowlod estate, said that the mill machinery was taken out in 1934 and a turbine installed to generate electricity for Doldowlod Hall and the village. After 1965 mains electricity made this unnecessary and the turbine was scrapped.

Image based on
2nd edition
Ordnance Survey
25" map of 1904

Powys
County Archives

detail from 25" map 
  See the next page for photographs of the mill complex.