1. An old Limekiln marked on 25 inch mapping described below:
A rectangular box-like structure of mortared rubble, ca. 2 ? 2.5m wide, 8m long and 3.5m high; not free-standing, but abutting slope of hill, as is usual with these structures. The kiln is now somewhat ruinous, and one can only assume that it had the normal top loading pit. There are apparently two lower openings, the larger is that to the north, in the long side which is ca. 2m wide ? it is well preserved. The opening to the west is smaller and is now blocked. A third opening may have existed at the south-east side. Above the kiln, and to the south is an area with scattered coal and carbonated fragments, shown in section due to erosion of the ground.
John Latham RCAHMW 25 July 2017
Source: Survey of Anglesey for the National Trust (2004) a series of PDF's by Peter Muckle.
2. Royal Commission field visit, 17 September 2024.
A square lime kiln 100 metres to the west of St Patrick’s Church is depicted and labelled as ‘old’ on the 1st Edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey map (published 1889). The kiln is not depicted on the 1845 tithe map for the parish of Llanbadrig in the County of Anglesey.
The lime kiln survives in a poor state of preservation. It is located on a limestone headland where there is clear evidence of quarrying around it, The 1st edition Ordnance Survey map shows a quarry 30 metres to the east of the kiln. presumably to directly supply the kiln. The kiln is roughly square in shape measuring 8.3 metres across its north face and 7.4 metres along its west face and stands 3.3 metres high. It is constructed of limestone blocks, larger boulders and smaller pieces bound with lime mortar, and is built against and onto a limestone outcrop. Access to the top of the kiln and crucible was via a rock cut ramp to the west of the kiln which leads onto the top of the outcrop.
The kiln does not survive to its full height and the crucible has collapsed and is infilled, as has part of the kilns east face. Three kiln eyes are situated in the north, east and west sides. Those on the north and west are the best preserved, with entrances 2.15 metres wide and chambers 2.8 metres deep. Both entrance lintel stones and part of the roofs of each chamber are missing. The side walls and surviving roof sections of each chamber curve inwards and downwards towards the draw holes which linked into the base of the kiln’s crucible. A small part of the draw hole in the north kiln eye survives and is 0.6 metres wide, supported by large limestone boulders above. The kiln eye in the east face of the kiln has collapsed, though the entrance and part of the side wall defining the north side of the chamber can be seen.
Example of an early Anglesey lime kiln, possibly dating from the late 18th / early 19th century.
Contextual Information
Lime kilns are a characteristic feature along the coastlines of 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/or 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, 16 October 2024.
Sources
National Library Wales: 1845 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Llanbadrig in the County of Anglesey https://places.library.wales/home
National Trust Heritage Record ID 42422 / MNA132605 https://heritagerecords.nationaltrust.org.uk/HBSMR/MonRecord.aspx?uid=MNA132605
OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1889): Anglesey II sheet 3.