Lime Kilns, Incline Plane And Storage Yard

Lime kilns, incline plane and storage yard at Gulworthy on the east bank of the River Tamar. These structures were first constructed in 1774 and extended and repaired throughout the 19th century.

The three draw kilns are housed in a substantial rectangular kiln block built of roughly-dressed coursed stone rubble with brick dressings, constructed against a steep natural slope and facing west. Two of the kilns date from later construction, with the kiln to the left being the original structure. The main west elevation is slightly battered with two buttresses and a vertical joint to the left of centre marking the probable extent of the original kiln. Two round-headed arched openings of brick above ground level in the front wall, and a stone-headed arch in the north return, give access to the brick-lined kilns or pots. A stone-faced working platform stands to the front of the kiln block. The south elevation features a brick-arched opening for a small oven with a keystone stamped 'MCCCL', providing a probable date for repairs and reconstruction of the southern part of the kilns. A flight of stone steps with a round-headed archway over it, built against the wall of the kiln block, provides access to the upper level.

Internally, the draw arches of the kilns have single square draw eyes set into the base of the kiln bowls, retaining parts of their cast-iron frames. The kiln pots themselves have a tapering cylindrical form and appear largely complete.

On the north side of the kiln block is an incline plane orientated west-east, constructed of random stone rubble with lateral buttresses and two arched openings allowing access to either side. Towards the upper eastern end is a stone-lined wheel-pit which originally contained a waterwheel fed by a leat, powering the incline tramway using a winch system. Excavation has revealed the remains of two turntables at the eastern end of the incline. The incline was constructed in 1825 to provide a transport link between the kilns and waterfront, carrying a tramway with iron rails upon which trucks loaded with limestone and coal were hauled up to the kilns by the water-powered winch system.

At the upper east level of the kilns is a former storage yard consisting of three large storage bays for raw materials and finished lime, built of random stone rubble with heavy buttressing and standing up to 4 metres high. Vehicular access to the top of the kilns is via a trackway from the south-east, fronted by a stone revetment wall.

A port, New Quay, was established alongside the River Tamar south-east of Morwellham in the mid-18th century as part of the Duke of Bedford's Tavistock estates. Documentary sources indicate it was first leased in 1755 for import and export principally of agricultural products and coal. The lime kiln was built at Newquay in 1774 and extended with two additional kilns sometime between 1812 and 1817. The kilns were repaired in the mid-19th century and were also, together with the incline plane, raised in height. Further repairs were undertaken in 1867. The kilns were reputed to be amongst the busiest on the river, supplying lime for most of the farmland west of Tavistock. By 1860 New Quay had been enlarged to export copper ore from Devon Great Consols Mine when nearby Morwellham Quay was full, and a small hamlet had become established at the port including an inn, smithy and cottages. New Quay fell into decline by 1900, although the kilns continued to operate sporadically until 1914, and the hamlet was abandoned by the mid-20th century.