This Grade II listed lime kiln is shown on OS 1st edition mapping with a small rectangular building to its western side. The kiln measures some 20m x 7m.
Cadw Listed Building record (19402) notes: Circular lime kiln in good condition built of red rubble stone. Some 3m high and 6m in diameter with extended walls on the NE and SW sides. SE side is built into a bank or ramp. NE and SW sides have large kiln eyes some 2m high with broad cambered heads and stone voussoirs. Corbelled stonework within. Crucible is infilled.
In August 2021 CHERISH installed two fixed survey markers (survey nails in two concrete hard standings) at St Bride’s Haven. The markers and their associated location coordinates (BNG) will enable accurate monitoring and change detection to heritage features located here going forward, particularly the lime kiln (NPRN 544131) and a nearby early medieval cemetery (NPRN 544132). Details are:
E2 Primary Station Marker - Easting: 180158.305; Northing: 210907.9651; Height: 4.8154
E6 Secondary Control Point - Easting: 180194.0376; Northing: 210893.7264; Height: 5.1429
See CHERISH Monitoring Network - SB_E2 and SB_E6 control markers Event Report: 03/02/2022 for full details including Witness Diagrams (CHERISH Survey Report No. CH/RCAHMW 46 and Data Archive RCCS33)
In June 2022 the EU-funded CHERISH project (RCAHMW) recorded the limekiln through UAV survey. A 3D model of the site was created following this survey which can be accessed with the links below
English: https://skfb.ly/ovSuy
Cymraeg: https://skfb.ly/ovSuI
A laser scan survey was also undertaken at this date, to provide an accurate record and enable future monitoring of the structure. The lime kiln lies close to an actively eroding coast edge and near a void in the bedrock which has created a small cave that has potential to undercut the limekiln.
Sources include:
NAW aerial photography 2006-9
OS 1st edition 25in
J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, July 2022 and Louise Barker, RCAHMW, December 2023
CHERISH PROJECT 2023. Produced with EU funds through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014-2020. https://cherishproject.eu/en/
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 Include:
Cadw Listed Building record: https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=&id=19402
Davies, P.B.S., 1997. Pembrokeshire Limekilns. St Davids: Merrivale.