Bank of Limekilns

The Bank of Limekilns is a large complex of continuous limekilns of trapezoidal plan, likely dating from the 18th century. Originally rectangular, it featured seven draw hole vaults. A later addition to the north extended the kilns with two further draw hole vaults. The walls are constructed of rubble sandstone and batter outwards. The draw hole vaults are situated on the south, east, and northeast sides, with the kilns built into the rising hillside to the west. A single kiln bowl remains visible on the top surface.

The south wall features two pairs of draw hole vaults offset to the left, each round-arched with voussoirs and large keystones. A large battered buttress separates the pairs, with smaller buttresses situated between each pair and at the western end. To the right is a wide, stepped projection with an entrance on its eastern side, leading into a half-arch with voussoirs—partially blocked—that opens into a chamber. An additional arch to the north from this chamber leads into a fifth draw hole vault. A pier is visible at the southeast angle, possibly intended for additional support. The east side, originally facing the canal, had two symmetrically placed draw hole vaults. Lines of small recesses in the masonry above likely served as breathers. An additional kiln was attached to the north side, evident by a butt joint in the east wall; its northeast angle is obtuse, marked by quoins. This extension features two draw hole vaults on the east and northeast sides, each with small round arches and red sandstone voussoirs, with breathers above that are not aligned with those on the south side.

The original kilns have tunnel vaults. The rear walls contain two draw-eyes, now blocked with stone and covered by iron lintels. The eastern and northeastern draw hole vaults of the extension lead to a vault positioned behind the obtuse northeast angle of the structure. The rear (southwest) masonry wall of this vault contains four draw-eyes beneath cast iron lintels, supported by brick and partially rebuilt. Behind these openings, the shaft of the kiln bowl rises. On the top surface, the brick-lined kiln bowl is sub-rectangular and tapers inwards towards the base and has been rebuilt in places in firebrick. This chamber belongs to the later addition, indicating the presence of at least one further kiln bowl to the south.