1. Restored limekiln, square plan, walls of roughly coursed rubble.
B.A.Malaws, 12 Sep 96.
Associated with Nprn41244 (harbour complex, Amlwch).
RCAHMW AP945144/66-9
2. Royal Commission field visit, 24 April 2025.
A substantial square lime kiln located on the northeast harbourside near the entrance to the old Amlwch Harbour is depicted and labelled on the 1st Edition 25-inch Ordnance Survey map (surveyed 1888, published 1889). At this date it was in use and remained in use on the 2nd edition map of 1900 but was subsequently labelled as ‘old’ by the 3rd edition of 1924. It is not depicted on the 1841 tithe map for the parish of Amlwch.
The lime kiln survives in a good condition and has been conserved. It is constructed against a quarried rockface, visible to the southwest of the kiln, with an access ramp (heavily restored) from the harbourside to the northeast. The kiln is roughly square in shape, measuring 9.5 metres across its front (northwest) face and 11.5 metres across its side (southwest) face. It stands 4.5 metres high and is constructed of roughly coursed rubble stone.
There are three kiln eyes situated in the front and side faces, these are now gated. Each kiln eye has a rectangular entrance 2.2 metres wide and 2.3 metres high, with timber and metal lintels. The chamber walls are constructed of brick and narrow to the rear of each chamber where arched draw-holes are visible. The roof of each chamber is supported with timber and iron lintels, partly propped and replaced, and the back wall above each draw-hole comprises large stone slabs.
At the top of the kiln the c.3m diameter crucible is open to a depth of 1.5 metres. The lower part of the cauldron lining is original comprising yellow bricks with evidence of vitrification. The upper part has been restored with modern red brick. Red brick and rough flags form the floor around the crucible and there is 1.2-metre-high parapet wall (with later railings) around the front and sides of the kiln. There looks to have been a gap through each wall directly above each kiln eye.
An information panel about the harbour near to the kiln, notes that when possible, limestone was used as ballast in sailing vessels as this could then be sold as profit on arrival at a port.
Louise Barker, RCAHMW, 19 August 2025.
Sources
National Library Wales: 1841 Tithe map and apportionment for the parish of Amlwch in the County of Anglesey https://places.library.wales/
OS 1st Edition 25-inch map (published 1889): Anglesey III sheet 7.
OS 2nd Edition 25-inch map (published 1900): Anglesey III sheet 7.
OS 3rd Edition 25-inch map (published 1924): Anglesey III sheet 7.
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/or 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.
