Lime Kilns At Sw 777 387 Ne

The lime kilns, dating from the late 18th century to early 19th century, are constructed from shale rubble with dressed stone, featuring nearly round arches and vaults. They are built into a slope at the rear (north) with a main doorway facing south and smaller entrances on each side wall. The structure is rectangular and contains two kilns. The tall main doorway leads into a barrel vaulted passage that connects to a central working area, with access to half dome vaults on either side where lime was removed after burning. To the south, there are remains of masonry that once supported an overhead gantry used for unloading limestone or coal from barges or small boats onto the working platform above the kilns. The lime kilns were first mentioned in 1899, indicating they were already disused by that time, and they must have predated the bridge and turnpike road built in 1828.