The remains of a small circular lime kiln, c. 5 metres diameter, partially collapsed, situated in an area of limestone quarrying near the top of the steep south facing cliffs above the path down to Fall Bay beach.

A level platform has been created in the coastal slope as a stance for the limekiln, and access ramps to either side provided access to the top of the kiln for loading.

The lime kiln is ruinous and survives as a turf covered mound of stone (13m by 10m and 2.5m high) with some exposed structural details. A depression in the top of the mound marks the collapsed and infilled crucible. Both of the two kiln-eyes survive on the northwest and southeast sides of the kiln. Here exposed stone suggests that the kiln-eyes were vaulted and splayed inwards towards the draw-holes. Construction is of coursed squared limestone blocks, but with larger conglomerate blocks above the draw-holes.

The exact date of the kiln is unknown. It is noted as ‘old’ on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1879.

Louise Barker, RCAHMW, April 2024

Sources:

GGAT HER. PRN 02319w https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=GGAT02319w&dbname=ggat&tbname=core

National Trust Heritage Record, Record ID 89338 / MNA132490 https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA132490

Toft, L.A., 1988 , The Gower Lime Burning Industry 1800-1960 , The Journal of the Gower Society : 39 : 64-79

Contextual Information

Lime kilns are a characteristic feature along the coastlines of west Wales. They are predominantly of 19th century date, although some were built prior to that, and some continued in use into the 20th century. They were used for burning limestone to make lime for use in agriculture and building. The former through spreading on the fields as a fertiliser and to counteract soil acidity, and the latter to make lime mortar. Their coastal position related to the need in many places to import the limestone for burning, and the culm (coal) that was used for fuel. Proximity to the shoreline reduced the need to move the limestone and coal very far after unloading.

Coastal lime kilns are generally round or square in shape and normally slightly wider than they are tall. They have a conical opening in their top, called a crucible, into which the limestone and culm was layered. Openings on either side, called the kiln eyes, connected to the base of the crucible and served for lighting the kiln and to allow air to be drawn into the crucible. After burning, the lime could be raked out via the kiln eyes. The kiln eyes come in many different shapes and sizes, from arched, to flat-topped, to tall and narrow.

Lime kilns were often constructed in pairs, with a small rectangular cottage for the kiln keepers in between them. At smaller landing places only a single kiln might have been built. In nearly all cases some sort of ramp was needed to carry the limestone and coal to a point where it could be added into the crucible from above. Many lime kilns are found built against the valley sides within coves or harbours, allowing the access ramp to be cut from the adjacent bank side, rather than needing to be built.

Site Record

Limekiln, Fall Bay