Limekiln - Fall Bay, South West Gower Properties (Rhossili - Mewslade)

Summary

A greatly overgrown circular kiln in a dip in steep south facing cliffs above a precipitous path to the beach. A top-loading opening kiln with access vents which are exactly opposite each other. A level structure was probably used for loading the kiln. This type of kiln seems to be typical of this part of the Gower cliffs and was probably built in the first half of the 19th century.

Identification Images (0)

Monument Types

Description

greatly overgrown circular kiln in a dip in steep south facing cliffs above a precipitous path to the beach. The top-loading opening to the kiln is entirely overgrown surviving only as a dip 50-75cm deep between the two access vents which are exactly opposite each other. Formed of roughly hewn limestone blocks with lintels of conglomerate the access vents consist of semi- circles of masonry which incline under the main body of the kiln. The western example is largely intact being 1/5m wide and 2m high but the eastern equivalent is greatly ruined, at most 1m high. The entire structure is approximately 6m long and 2m high. A level platform behind the structure was probably used for loading the kiln.

This type of kiln seems to be typical of this part of the Gower cliffs and was probably built in the first half of the 19th century. A detailed discussion of the function of these kilns may be found in section 6A together with a consideration of the lime industry of the Gower.

2003/4 survey
An overgrown limekiln located in a dip in the steep south facing cliffs above the path to the beach, situated in a fairly level area in quite a wide flat bottomed ravine. It is visible as a large turf covered circular mound with the odd bit of unworked limestone poking out, with a filled in crucible behind and two reasonably well preserved access vents. The crucible is entirely overgrown and blocked, visible only as a dip 0.5m deep, c3m in diameter at the top but sloping down in a funnel shape. The NW access vent is probably the best preserved c2.2m wide at the entrance, c4.5m deep although the edge of the kiln does extend further and at present c1.5-6m high. The vent is drystone built mostly of limestone but with large conglomerate blocks forming the lintel and spine of the vent, the roof being formed by flat pieces of limestone, now collapsed. The hole at the back is still visible. The other vent is c4m deep and c2m wide, constructed in the same manner. The central mound is c2.5m high and c5.5-5.6m wide, the whole structure being c12-13m wide.

Limestone outcrops on either side of the kiln, probably providing the material that was burnt inside. The level platform behind the kiln would have been used for loading the stone into the crucible.

This type of limekiln is a typical example of the many to be found along these cliffs, and probably dates to the 1st half of the C19th. The survey of the Gower limekilns undertaken by Toft shows that this kiln was marked as being disused by 1913, but was not marked at all in 1879, however this does not mean to say it was not in operation before or during this date as it seems many kilns which may have indeed have been functioning at this time were not marked.

References

Designations

None Recorded

Other Statuses and References

Associated Events

Associated Finds

None Recorded

Related Records

None Recorded