Five circular lime kilns are marked on the 1st Edition OS 25” map within Llangrannog cove. A single lime kiln survives and is located on the western side of the cove (NPRN 40649) . Of the remaining four none survive. These were depicted on the 1841 Tithe plan of the parish of Llangrannog, two were situated in the centre of the cove, on the west bank of the Nant Hawen, in the location now occupied by the ‘Gerlan’ and ‘Tafell y Tan’ buildings (SN 31071 54163 and SN 31088 54157) . Another two were situated opposite on the eastern side of the cove, near the high-water mark in the area now occupied by ‘Café Patio’ (SN 31104 54203 and SN 31113 54191).
By the time of publication of the 2nd Edition OS 25” map the two eastern lime kilns and the easternmost of the two central kilns are no longer shown. The remaining two limekilns are marked as ‘Old Limekiln’ suggesting that they have fallen out of use.
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
Moore-Colyer, R. J., 1988 Of Lime and Men: Aspects of the Coastal Trade in Lime in South West Wales in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. Welsh History Review, 1, 54-77.
National Library Wales: 1841 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Llangrannog in the County of Cardigan https://places.library.wales/home
OS 1st Edition 25" map (published 1888)
OS 1st Edition 25" map (published 1905)
Western Kiln DAT HER PRN57678 https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=DAT57678&dbname=dat&tbname=core
Centre Kilns DAT HER PRN30778 https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=DAT30778&dbname=dat&tbname=core
Eastern Kilns DAT HER PRN30779 https://archwilio.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=DAT30779&dbname=dat&tbname=core
J.Whitewright, RCAHMW, August 2022
Louise Barker, RCAHMW, June 2024
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