Craig-y-Gwbert limekiln is an early nineteenth-century circular kiln cut and built into the outer face of the defensive bank of Graig y Gwbert Iron Age Promontory Fort (NPRN 403294). Part of the cutting is revetted. A narrow-unmade path leads in front of the kiln (the former ditch of the promontory fort) down to a small, sheltered inlet. Today the kiln has been incorporated into Cardigan Golf Course (the top of the kiln is a teeing off point) and is adjacent to the Wales Coast Path.
The limekiln is shown on the 1840 Tithe Map of the parish of Verwig, Cardiganshire, located within field 23 named Towyn, occupied by Banjamin Davies and owned by Alban Thomas Davies Esquire. By the first edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey Map of 1889, it is noted as an ‘old limekiln’, though a track is shown running to it from Gwbert Inn (formerly Gwbert house, today the Cliff Hotel NPRN 416268).
The kiln is 3.25 metres high, 7.25 metres long (southwest to northeast) and 4.2 metres wide. It is built from rubble stone and has two triangular kiln-eyes, one on the southwest and the other on the northeast. These are 2.45 metres high and 2.1 metres wide and are located near the back of the kiln. Each kiln-eye splays inwards to draw-holes and are 2.7 metres deep. Both draw-holes are blocked though the one in the southwest kiln-eye only partially. The top of the limekiln is grass covered and the crucible infilled.
The mortar, particularly that on the northeast side of the kiln, has largely disappeared and cracks are appearing in the stonework. The kiln is noticeably splaying outwards.
The limekiln is protected as a Scheduled Monument (CD274 – part of Craig y Gwbert Defended Enclosure) and is a Garde II Listed Building (15864).
In September 2022 RCAHMW undertook a new survey of the limekiln through laser scanning.
Louise Barker, RCAHMW, August 2023
Sources:
Cadw Scheduling Description (CD274) https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=&id=1261
Cadw Listed Building Description (15864) https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=&id=15864
Contextual Information
Limekilns 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 limekilns 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.
Limekilns 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.