A Welsh windmill that has been remarkably restored is back on the market as a unique holiday let complex bursting with unique history and exceptional views, as well as having been the subject of a TV restoration programme that was an emotional rollercoaster.
Nestled into the landscape on Angelsey, Melin Newydd windmill stands out as a monument to the island's past. The structure dates back to 1833 and was originally on land belonging to the nearby Bodorgan estate. It was Grade II listed by Cadw in 1970 for being "a good example of an early-mid C19 windmill tower, retaining the original planned form, openings, and character".
At the time of the listing the windmill was said to be one of only 18 complete towers surviving on Anglesey out of over 40 windmills that were operating on the island in the early-mid 19th century and was in use as a cowshed, having had the sails and machinery removed and the tower given a corrugated iron roof after the removal of the cap. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
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The cows would definitely not recognise the windmill now, transformed into an operating holiday let, and neither would the original miller, Owen John Augustus Fuller Meyrick, whose initials can still be seen over the north doorway. The listing goes on to say that the mill was one of the last windmills to be erected on Anglesey and the name Melin Newydd was given to distinguish it from an existing watermill nearby. Both mills were used, with the miller deciding which was the most suitable depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
Website Anglesey History states that in the early 1920s there was a ferocious storm that damaged the structure and the mill was closed. In 2006, planning permission was granted to restore, renovate and transform the building. Any viewers of George Clarke's Channel 4 series Restoration Man might remember the owners who saved the windmill from total dereliction. See inside another Welsh windmill for sale here.
In series one, that first aired in 2010, George met Clive Bolton who had bought the windmill for £75,000 in 2003 and had an ambition to get the windmill project completed as a weekend getaway with a budget of £90,000. The aim was for the windmill to then probably be the place for Clive to enjoy retirement with wife Jane who was, at the time of the programme, recovering from a major operation after a cancer diagnosis. Clive was keen to convert the stone outbuildings on the land into holiday lets as well, to provide an income.
Clive told George: "This is one of the things that keeps us going, this is our pension, so the quicker I can turn it round, the quicker I can retire. I've fallen in love with the place so eventually the wife and I will move into it."
Tragically, as the episode progressed and George revisited the windmill to find out about progress at the site, Clive revealed in an emotional scene that had George in tears that Jane's illness had become terminal and she had passed away. The programme concluded with the completion of the project and the whole family gathering at the windmill to toast its future, with George arriving with a sweet gesture as a present for Clive, a book about the windmill and its history including chapters about Clive's incredible renovation.
Since then the windmill and converted outbuildings, still owned by the family, have been welcoming guests to the property as a trio of holiday lets. Located almost in the centre of the island, the windmill and its cottages are the perfect, and truly unique, base from which to explore the island's countryside, hills and lakes, beaches and coast, as well as towns like Beaumaris.
Back at the windmill there are four floors of fabulousness to climb inside the tower, with the ground floor offering a circular kitchen and lounge area, up the spiral staircase to find the principal bedroom with en-suite, climb again to find another en-suite double bedroom.
Then to the crowning glory of the tower: a sitting room tucked into the capped roof with incredible views across the island from this very special spot either from the slice of glass cut into the roof or from the impressive balcony that is surely the best place on the island to get the most sweeping and panoramic views.
Outside the two extra holiday lets to explore are The Top Barn, a single-storey, detached cottage that sleeps four and a barn conversion called Owl Cottage that has two mezzanine levels and sleeps four. This unique collection of properties are surrounded by ample parking and places to enjoy alfresco dining and playing games, as well as an additional, adjoining paddock with further development potential, subject to planning consent.
Katherine Wigham, associate in the leisure and trade team at Savills who are selling the windmill, says: "Melin Newydd Windmill and its holiday cottages is an established business located in a beautiful part of the north Wales countryside, on the Isle of Anglesey. The property provides either a lifestyle opportunity for a newcomer to the holiday sector or could be managed as part of an established letting business."
The windmill and cottages are back on the market with a guide price of £800,000 with Savills, call the Chester branch on 01244 702058 to find out more. For more property and renovation stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
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