On 24th March 1800, a lease was signed between Richard Pennant, owner of the Penrhyn Estate in Llandegai, north Wales, and a group of Liverpool merchants, including Samuel Worthington. This lease encompassed three grist mills and the newly built flint mill at Penlan, marking a pivotal moment in Llandegai's industrial growth, particularly with the flint mill's unique features. It was the only flint mill in north Wales, linked directly to the Herculaneum Pottery in Liverpool, likely the first brick-built industrial structure in Llandegai, and part of what is believed to be the earliest iron-railed overland edge railway in the world. From 1796 to 1955, the mill experienced five phases of development, starting as a flint mill and converting to corn milling in 1835, a function it maintained until 1901. Around this time, a stable was built, followed by a warehouse extension and private railway siding in 1852, with additional buildings added in the 1880s. Its water supply was also remarkable, serving as a power source for the mill, waterwheel, aqueduct, and turbine at the nearby Felin Isaf site. The narrative of Penlan Mill encompasses not only its architectural significance but also the influential figures involved in its history, particularly Richard Pennant and Samuel Worthington, making it a compelling story for those interested in Llandegai's development.
