Tithe maps for the parishes of Verwig (1840) and Mount (1848) show 3 circular lime kilns in this area (see NPRNs 40651 and 800764 forthe other 2). Today only one survives standing (NPRN 40651) and this was also the only one depicted on the 1st edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey map (published 1889).
This, the third kiln, is shown on the Mount Tithe. Its site is on private land and it is reported by the National Trust that nothing of it survives.
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, RCAHMW, 3 July 2024
Sources
oore-Colyer, R. J., 1988 Of Lime and Men: Aspects of the Coastal Trade in Lime in South West Wales in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. Welsh History Review, 1, 54-77.
Moore-Colyer, R. J., 1992 Coastal Limekilns in South West Wales and their Conservation. In C. S. Briggs (ed), Welsh Industrial Heritage: a review, CBA Research Report, 79
National Library Wales: 1840 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Verwig, Cardiganshire https://places.library.wales/home
National Library Wales: 1848 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Mount in the County of Cardigan https://places.library.wales/home
National Trust Heritage Record No. 81154 / MNA135218 https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA135218
OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1889): XXX sheet 5.
OS 2nd Edition 25-inch map (published 1906): XXX sheet 5.