A pair of circular lime kilns depicted on the 1st Edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey map (published 1890) on the south side of the harbour. They are noted as ‘old’ (presumably disused) by the 2nd edition map of 1905. The pair also appear next to the shipwright yard on the 1846 Tithe Map for the parish of Henfynyw. Moore Colyer notes they were in use by the late 18th century and that they appear as ‘limeburners’ in trade directories in 1844 and 1868 (1988, 71). These were 1 of 2 pairs of kilns noted in Aberaeron (see NPRN 800721 for Lime Kilns 3 and 4 now destroyed and originally situated 50 metres to the southwest). Associated with these kilns was a weigh-house (NPRN 34173), now restored.
Both lime kilns partially survive under a grass mound at the edge of a car park. No stonework survives for Kiln 1 (SN 45449 62918), but part of the curving wall defining east side of Kiln 2 (SN 45462 62906) is visible and conserved, standing 1.2 metres high.
Observation and photographed by RCAHMW in June 2024.
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.
Louise Barker, RCAHMW, 26 June 2024
Sources
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: 1846 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Henfynyw https://places.library.wales/home
OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1890 ): XVII sheet 12.
OS 2nd Edition 25-inch map (published 1905): XVII sheet 12.