West Wales Wool Trail

Wales is of course famous for its rich heritage of the woollen industry. So apart from meeting numerous sheep when traveling in West Wales there are lots of places of interest for fiber enthusiasts. Small woollen mills in remote valleys as well as galleries and workshops of fibre artists offer a warm welcome. Here just a few:

The Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry in Dre-fach Felindre sits in the heart of what was once known as the 'Huddersfield of Wales', where over fifty mills once sustained a thriving industry. With its mill in operation for over 100 years, the Museum tells the story of a rural community that depended on spinning and weaving for its livelihood, and forms a vital part of the industrial history of Wales. The Museum of the Welsh Woollen Industry reopened in spring 2004 after an exciting phase of redevelopment.

Melin Tregwynt is a beautiful whitewashed mill, owned by the same family since 1912 and located in a remote wooded valley on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast of Wales.

Solva Woollen Mill Manufacturers of quality woven floor rugs and carpets established in 1907. Now also a popular tourist attraction, visitors can see the factory working and visit the shop which stocks a wide range of woollen goods

Curlew Weavers produce a wide range of woollen fabrics and products in tweed, flannel, dress materials and upholstery fabrics. Their garments range from casual tops, skirts and dresses to capes and coats for more formal wear.

Positioned in the heart of the Teifi Valley, Rock Mill, a Grade II listed mill survives as a working legacy to a once great woollen industry. Built in 1890 by the great-grandfather of the present owner. It is the last of the working waterwheel-powered Welsh woollen mills. Spinners and weavers of traditional designed tapestry, bedspreads, blankets, throws, knee, travel and floor rugs, shawls, scarves, ties: also hand-knitted aran and much more all sold in the mill shop.

Blueberry Angoras Luxurious yarns and hand-knitted garments in fine quality mohair and natural hand-spun wools. Woven goods including rugs, throws and cushions. Beautiful angora goat skin rugs, delicate cobweb scarves and comfortable socks. Spinning and weaving equipment.

The Honorwood Flocks From our farm showroom we sell quality wool & mohair products, yarns & fleeces from our flocks of Angora Goats, Shetland, Icelandic, Soay & Jacob Sheep. Mail order available.

Peter and Christine Everitt
Cefn Llanfair
Llanfair Road
Ceredigion
SA44 4RD
01559 362890

Ty Hên Angoras produce prize-winning hand-knitted garments, both natural and hand-dyed. The kid mohair comes from their own prize-winning flock of angora goats.

Mr R D Harries
Ty Hen
Sarnau, Llandysul
Ceredigion
SH44 6RD
01239 811323

Preseli Mohair Centre Exclusive garments and quality mohair knitting yarn are spun from the fleece produced by the flock of angora goats which are farmed here in the Preseli hills. The best of this fleece is spun locally into smooth lustrous yarn which is washed in soft spring water before being dyed into subtle and vibrant colours. There is a small showroom where there is also a range of walking socks, hats, stoles, locally woven travel rugs, heirloom hand-crocheted babywear, angora goat skins and unique goat china available. More info under http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk food, art and craft

Handweaving by Riitta Sinkonnen Davies A small workshop specialising in linen weaving. There is always a variety of work in progress on different looms, and during the summer flax is grown in the garden. A wide range of products is available for sale from rugs, cushions and colourful table linens to pictures, wall hangings and greetings cards.

Snail Trail Handweavers A small interesting rural studio nestling in open farmland. Martin weaves colourful "one-off" rugs, wallhangings, cushions, scarves and fabrics and specialises in the Ikat dyeing technique. Martin welcomes commissions. He offers a special custom service to match or complement your own colour schemes and can re-create historical textiles. Martin and Nina run weekly residential or non-residential courses in weaving, spinning and dyeing from Easter to September according to demand. Courses are suitable for all levels from absolute beginner to advanced student. With a maximum of six, students are guaranteed personal attention. Community education classes are held every Wednesday throughout the winter

The Wool Gallery was formerly known as The Sheep Shed. Come and see the prize winning flock of Jacob sheep and Angora goats. Exclusive hand knitted garments, made to measure if required, from our own natural or hand dyed Jacob wool. There are throws, hats, scarves, shawls, hearthrugs, and hand dyed or natural coloured knitting wool in pure Jacob or Jacob/mohair mix. Sheepskins, baby fleeces, seat pads and cushions, buttons, knitting patterns, spinning fleeces, spinning equipment and dyes can be bought in our large studio. Mohair socks, throws, knitwear, shawls and knitting wool in natural and hand dyed colours. Spinning and weaving demonstrations throughout the year. A gallery with paintings by local artists, hand thrown pots, hand made jewellery and baskets, all locally made. 

A bit further north you can find the Slender Thread Workshop:

For more general woolly links see the links page.

This list only contains websites and galleries that I know of, if there is anything that you think should be included please email Bettina