Catcrag Lime Kiln At Sd 437825

Catcrag Lime Kiln is an early 19th-century lime kiln located at Witherslack, built from rubble carboniferous limestone. The kiln features a tapering square body, approximately 6 metres square, set into a limestone outcrop at the rear (north-east). It has a central semi-circular arched entry leading into the kiln draw passage, with the arch constructed from dressed limestone voussoirs. The draw hole is covered by canopy flagstones supported by iron bars. Inside, the kiln chamber is lined with sandstone, although it is now partially collapsed. This kiln was built by the Wilkinson family, known for their iron-making, following the Witherslack enclosure award of 1829, likely to provide burnt lime for agricultural land improvement. It is a well-preserved and complete example of early 19th-century kiln construction.