Lime Kiln built onto a platform into and near the top of the coast slope running down to the cove of Porth Ysgaden. The kiln has been conserved and is in a good condition, though the coastal slope to the north of the kiln is actively eroding.

Grade II Listed Structure (No. 4381) of unusual design. Built of rubble stone and rectangular in plan, measuring 8.3 metres by 6.9 metres. The kiln has a high west facing wall through which two doorways with slab lintels, the kiln eyes, 1.68 metres high and 0.8 metres wide lead into a passageway. Each passageway is 3.5 metres long with slab roofing and subsequently turns at right angles and tapers inwards and downwards to two draw holes at the base of the crucible, 0.6 metres wide and 0.4 metres high. The top circular crucible is open and grilled. It measures 2.8 metres in diameter and has a brown-brick rim and lining and is surrounded by a cemented rubble parapet on 3 sides, 1.4 metres high.

The lime kiln is depicted and labelled on the 1889 First Edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey Map and appeared to still be in use on the third edition map of 1918. It is also shown on the 1842 Tithe Map for the parish of Tydweillog. The Cadw listing description notes that a kiln is recorded here in 1754. Some 65 metres to the southwest of the kiln is a stone walled enclosure (NPRN 800298), also shown on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map, and noted as a boatyard on modern maps. The Cadw listing description notes this as a coal-yard and therefore was likely associated with the kiln. A track running from the cove and beach to the enclosure and on to the top of the kiln for loading also forms part of this complex, with a windlass also noted on the First Edition Ordnance Survey Map.

The sheltered coves either side of the headland at Porth Ysgaden provided safe harbours, where boats and small ships delivered goods (including coal and limestone) to local residents, and took away local produce, including salted herring (giving the Ysgaden placename).

Contextual Information

Lime kilns are a characteristic feature along the coastlines of west Wales. They are predominantly of 19th century date, although some were built prior to that, and some continued in use into the 20th century. They were used for burning limestone to make lime for use in agriculture and building. The former through spreading on the fields as a fertiliser and to counteract soil acidity, and the latter to make lime mortar. Their coastal position related to the need in many places to import the limestone for burning, and the culm (coal) that was used for fuel. Proximity to the shoreline reduced the need to move the limestone and coal very far after unloading.

Coastal lime kilns are generally round or square in shape and normally slightly wider than they are tall. They have a conical opening in their top, called a crucible, into which the limestone and culm was layered. Openings on either side, called the kiln eyes, connected to the base of the crucible and served for lighting the kiln and to allow air to be drawn into the crucible. After burning, the lime could be raked out via the kiln eyes. The kiln eyes come in many different shapes and sizes, from arched, to flat-topped, to tall and narrow.

Lime kilns were often constructed in pairs, with a small rectangular cottage for the kiln keepers in between them. At smaller landing places only a single kiln might have been built. In nearly all cases some sort of ramp was needed to carry the limestone and coal to a point where it could be added into the crucible from above. Many lime kilns are found built against the valley sides within coves or harbours, allowing the access ramp to be cut from the adjacent bank side, rather than needing to be built.

Louise Barker, CHERISH project RCAHMW, January 2024

CHERISH PROJECT. Produced with EU funds through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014-2020. https://cherishproject.eu/en/

Updated: Louise Barker, RCAHMW, 9 August 2024.

Sources:

https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=porth-ysgaden-near-tudweiliog

Cadw Grade II Listed Building (No. 4381): https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=4381

National Library Wales: 1842 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Tydweiliog in the county of Carnarvon https://places.library.wales/home   

OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1889): Caernarvonshire XXXIX sheet 2.

OS 2nd Edition 25-inch map (published 1900): Caernarvonshire XXXIX sheet 2.

OS 3rd Edition 25-inch map (published 1918): Caernarvonshire XXXIX sheet 2.