A group of recently consolidated limekilns at the high water mark in Solva harbour. The four circular structures are connected by stretches of wall between 4 and 5 metres long. The western kiln has been extensively restored; a circular funnel, approximately 2m wide at the top connects with two ground level openings. The other three kilns have been filled with boulders and the ground level openings partially or in one case completely blocked. The walls of the kilns range in width from 50-100cm and are between 2.5 and 3m high. A rectangular structure measuring approximately 4 by 3m lies between the two western kilns. The kilns were repaired in 1996 following storm damage.
The lime kilns were visited by the RCAHMW in April 2023 and recorded via laser scanning and photogrammetry. The results of this survey are visible here:
Cymraeg: https://skfb.ly/oGKXS
English: https://skfb.ly/oGPnv
The construction date of these features is unknown but Fenton mentions the importance of limestone and culm for "the firing and manure of the neighbourhood" (Fenton 1811, p138) and Lewis in 1833 indicates that "the inhabitants [of the parish of Whitchurch] are chiefly employed in agriculture, in the burning of lime for which there are some kilns near the entrance of the town of Solva, and in the trade of the port". Limestone, culm and coal were brought from Milford Haven, a port which probably served numerous small Pembrokeshire harbours. Lewis noted that Solva had developed into a "flourishing little port" in the preceding 40 years because of "the great demand for shipping during the last war, and the convenience of its harbour" so it can be presumed that the kilns date to the late 18th or early 19th century.
According to F.W. Warburton "at one time there were twelve lime kilns in Solva of which eight remain". Originally there were five on the site described above "one behind Harbour House, one at the foot of the Gribin path, two by Solva Bridge. one on the left bank of the Gwadn stream and there were formerly two on the site the present Calvanistic Methodist Chapel in Lower Solva. The Kiln at the foot of Gribin was in use until about 1900, the remainder having ceased trading some years previously" (1944,p 36). The two on the site of the Chapel are mentioned by Fenton who notes that "the hot vapour, and the dirt and noise of carting incident to them, make them very offensive proving a great drawback on a residence in that part of town" (Fenton 1811, p138).The Trust surveyors noted seven surviving examples, four on the beach, one at the foot of Gribin Path and two by Solva Bridge.
To convert the imported limestone into lime layers of the rock were interspersed with layers of coal in the funnel part of the kiln and the lime produced by the burning of these layers collected from ground level openings.
E P Dillon NT Report "Solva"
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.