A large square lime kiln is located on the western slope of the valley in the cove of Caer Bwdy (Caerbwdi). It is marked as ‘Old Limekiln’ on the 1st Edition of the OS 25” map.

The lime kiln is 7.6m wide across its southern side, and between 3 and 4m in height on its south-west and south-east corners, respectively. Kiln-eyes are set into the western and eastern walls measuring 2.2m at their entrance and 3m in depth. The opening of the eastern kiln-eye is 2.6m high, while that of the western kiln-eye is 2.1m – reflecting different ground levels on either side of the kiln. A section of wall 2.5m long runs from the southern side of each kiln-eye to the southern wall of the lime kiln. The northern equivalent walls are much shorter, measuring only 0.5m on the western side. The western kiln-eye is overgrown with blackthorn, making access difficult, and as a result, it is very well-preserved internally. A retaining wall extends from the north-west corner of the lime kiln for several metres, which may also have served as the access ramp to the crucible. The crucible has not been in-filled, as on many other kilns, but is very overgrown.

The date of construction of the lime kiln is unknown, although it is thought to date from the early 19th century, and may have replaced an earlier structure at the site. The nearby mill is known to have been in use from at least the late 18th century. Davies (1997: 42-3) associates the use of the Caer Bwdy lime kiln with ownership by the Bishop of St Davids.

The lime kiln is associated with the remains of a Mill (NPRN 40228) and cottage (NPRN 21697) which are located a short distance to the north-east. The lime kiln is a Grade II listed building, and the entire area, comprising the lime kiln, mill and cottage is a Scheduled Monument. Caer Bwdy itself, and the monuments just described sit within the defined historic landscape of St Davids Peninsula and Ramsey Island.

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.

Sources

Cadw Scheduled Monument PE429 https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/sam/FullReport?lang=en&id=447

Cadw Listed Building 12661 https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=12661

Davies, P.B.S., 1997. Pembrokeshire Limekilns. St Davids: Merrivale.

Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER PRN 58865 https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=DAT58865

OS 1st Edition 25" map (published 1889)

RCAHMW AP945018/53-4; 965016/70
 

J.Whitewright, RCAHMW, September 2022

CHERISH PROJECT 2017. Produced with EU funds through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014-2020.