1. The 1st edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey map published in 1889 depicts and annotates a small lime kiln at the edge of woodland adjacent to a trackway running along the western bank of the Gwynant River, downstream of the highest point to which ordinary tides flow from the Afon Mawddach. At this date the lime kiln was no longer in use and annotated as ‘old’. Crossing the mouth of the river near to the kiln was the Barmouth to Ruabon railway which opened in 1869 and this may have restricted access and supply to the kiln, and potentially led to it becoming disused around this date. It is not depicted or noted on the 1842 ‘Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Dolgelly’.
A field visit and photography by RCAHMW in August 2024 confirmed the lime kiln remains standing in a fair condition, though a large part of the south side of the kiln has collapsed. It is constructed of rubble stone and has straight north and south faces with a rounded front (east) face. Overall the kiln measures 5.3 metres north to south by 7.2 metres and stands 2.4 metres high. The kiln is built against the woodland slope and access to the top of the kiln was via a ramp. There are two kiln eyes one in the north face and the other in the south face. The kiln eye on the north is the best preserved. It is 1.6 metres wide and 1.83 metres high with a flat lintel stone. The kiln eye is 1.92 metres deep with side walls and a roof (constructed from larger stone slabs) tapering inwards and downwards to the draw hole, which is largely infilled and defined by header stones. The curving front face of the kiln runs from the edge of each kiln eye. The kiln eye in the south face of the kiln has collapsed.
The crucible of the kiln remains largely open, it is 1.7 metres in diameter and 1.6 metres deep and is stone lined with evidence of vitrification. The soil and stone infill material between the outer face of the kiln and crucible lining is also reddened from heat.
2. Ground photogrammetric survey by RCAHMW on 27 February 2025. The resulting Sketchfab model of the survey is available to view here: https://skfb.ly/puzwR
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 & 23 May 2025.
Sources
National Library Wales: 1842 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Dolgelly in the County of Merioneth https://places.library.wales/home
OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1889): Merionethshire XXXVI sheet 4.