Dolcoed is a 300-year-old former woollen mill and weaver's cottage in the hamlet of Bontnewydd in the parish of Blaenpennal, about four miles north-west of Tregaron.
The building has been refurbished and is now [2000] a cosy self-catering holiday cottage.


Left: Access to Dolcoed is gained by traversing this narrow wooden footbridge across a stream which otherwise isolates the mill from the lane.

Above: On the far side of the mill flows Afon Aeron (River Aeron) whose waters once turned the waterwheel driving the mill. The Aeron eventually flows into Cardigan Bay at Aberaeron.

Above: Separated from Dolcoed Mill by Afon Ddu is another old cottage, now (June 2000) used as a cow-shed. This detail of the end wall suggests the roof may once have been lower than at present.

Update, August 2012:
The cottage and its outbuildings were recently purchased for conversion into a habitable residence. The new owner, Lewis Richards, has kindly provided the photograph below, showing the present state of the cottage.

Above and below: The lane leading to Bontnewydd. Dolcoed Mill is accessed through the gate on the left of the picture above. The barn and cow-shed are alongside the lane. The building just visible at the top of the hill (above) and through the trees on the left (below) is an old chapel.

According to local resident Mr Williams (right), this Calvinistic Methodist chapel has not been used for some time, and is now (June 2000) for sale. Mr Williams's ancestors once worked at Dolcoed Mill, and lived in the adjacent cottage which he now uses as a cow-shed.

Update (April 2009): Sadly, Mr Williams is now deceased.

Above and below: To the east of the lane, sheep were quietly grazing. The scarred landscape is evidence of former quarrying activity. The farm cottage (below) appears to have been abandoned by all but the sheep.

Above and below: To the west of the lane, are the wind-blown hilltops of Cardiganshire. Light drizzle has enhanced the freshly woven spiders' webs.