The 1st edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey map published in 1889 depicts and annotates a lime kiln, 90 metres to the southeast of Llech-Chollwyn farm. At this date it was labelled as ‘disused’. The kiln is not depicted but ‘Bryn yr odin Lime Kiln &c’ is noted in the apportionment on the 1842 tithe for the parishes of Llanfihangel y Traethau and Llandecwyn.

The kiln survives today in a fair condition though vegetation covered and with some collapse, particularly on its west side. It is a square structure constructed of roughly dressed stone blocks, the north face measuring 4.7 metres in width and standing 3.8 metres high. Two kiln eyes are situated in the east and west faces, that on the east obscured by vegetation and that on the west by fallen stone. Here the flat lintel stone of the kiln eye is supported by a prop and RSJ. The kiln eye is 1.9 metres wide and around 1.65 metres deep, with the side walls and ceiling splaying inwards and downwards towards the draw-hole, which is supported by an iron bar above which are two rows of header bricks. There is surviving evidence, which is backed up by the historic mapping, that the kiln eyes were enclosed within structures adjoining the kiln. The structure on the west is largely collapsed but surviving stonework on the east suggests a c.3-metre-wide structure accessed through a doorway on the north side.

Access to the top of the kiln for loading was via a revetted trackway and ramp on the south side of the kiln. The top c.0.5 metres of the crucible remains open revealing it stone lined.

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 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, 20 August 2024.

Sources

National Library Wales: 1842 Tithe map and apportionment for the parishes Llanfihangel y Traethau and Llandecwyn in the County of Merioneth https://places.library.wales/home

OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1889): Merionethshire XIX sheet 5.