King’s Mills has a fascinating and lengthy history, stretching back to the medieval period. It played a key role in the local economy due to its strategic location by the River Clywedog and its function as a mill, which supported the area’s agricultural community for centuries.
The mill at King’s Mills dates back to the 13th century. It was originally established by the Cistercian monks of Valle Crucis Abbey, a prominent medieval monastery near Llangollen, to grind grain for the local community and the Abbey’s lands. This mill was one of many monastic enterprises that helped the monks sustain their religious and economic activities. After the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry VIII in the 1530s, many of these ecclesiastical holdings were either destroyed or converted for other uses.
The name “King’s Mills” likely originates from the fact that after the Dissolution, the mill came under Crown control, making it a royal property. It continued to serve the agricultural needs of the surrounding lands, milling grain and producing flour. The mill and its adjoining lands were eventually sold into private hands, like much of the former monastic land, but the name “King’s Mills” persisted.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution brought significant changes to the area around Wrexham. While King’s Mills remained a working mill, Wrexham’s economy expanded with the rise of coal mining, ironworks, and other industrial activities. Despite this, King’s Mills retained its function as an agricultural mill, serving local farmers. The mill building that stands today was largely rebuilt or refurbished during this period to accommodate more modern milling technologies.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, traditional water mills like King’s Mills were gradually becoming obsolete as new technologies, such as steam and electric power, took over the milling industry. The mill eventually ceased commercial operations, but the site has remained important as part of the local heritage of Wrexham.
Today, King’s Mills is recognized as an important historical site. The mill building still exists, though it no longer operates as a working mill. It is a Grade II listed building, which means it is protected due to its historical significance.
