Lime Kilns On North Bank Of River Wear At Nz 3895 5826

The lime kilns located on the north bank of the River Wear date from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century. They are constructed from sandstone and limestone rubble, coursed stone, and brick with iron ties. This long series of kilns is situated between a mineral railway and the river, primarily within the grounds of Wearmouth Colliery, allowing access to the tops from the railway and to the bottom for river transport. The kilns reach a maximum height of approximately 12 metres.

On the left, there are round-plan kilns from the 18th century, which have some 20th-century patching at their bases and have lost parts of their front walls. The central stone kilns are squared in plan and feature a row of small arches at the base of their tall walls. To the right, there is a second similar set of stone kilns, and a third row of stone kilns at the extreme right has a row of blocked arches projecting at the base of the wall. Between the last two groups of stone kilns is the final brick structure, which has iron bands and four arches, most of which are blocked with stone, while one is blocked with brick.

These kilns are significant as a remnant of the once-thriving lime-exporting industry on the Wear, which was the major exporter of lime from the northeast due to the unique combination of lime quarries and river transport. The kilns were supplied by a waggonway from Carley Hill quarry, and an etching by E. Swinburne published in 1839 depicts them in operation.