Summary
The fragmentary remains of three 19th century lime kilns, and map evidence for a fourth, east of the mid-19th century surviving kiln (site MNA141386/115233) at Bossington Beach.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- LIME KILN (18th C - 1701 AD to 1800 AD)
Description
There are fragmentary remains of three lime kilns, and map evidence for a fourth, immediately east of the mid-19c surviving kiln (site 115233). The remnants are set into the north side of the bank along the south edge of the shingle ridge. Of the western most kiln part of the west and south sides survive, of the next kiln part of the south side, of the surviving eastern one only part of the footings remain. The 1809-12 Holnicote Estate Survey shows a fourth, eastern, kiln, this would be on the pebble ridge and no evidence for it remains. The kilns are in field B.22 held by Robert Griffiths and William Elworthy, under Glend’s, Pool’s, Abington’s etc. The farmhouses were 8 and 9 Bossington and Olands, both listed under the same holding. B.22 is given as Lime Kiln, it may be that only one was in use at any one time.[1]
The limekiln at MNA141386/115233 and the eastern limekiln at SS 8915 4834 [this record] were surveyed in 1992 as part of the VBS surveys on the Holnicote Estate. It describes two or three kilns which are shown on the 1841 Porlock Tithe map. The ruined walls at SS 8915 4834 are probably the remains of the centre building, just east of the remaining kiln. It is likely that a hut also existed for the workmen, as when firing the kiln they had to tend it for 48 hours or more without a break. Further research into any documentary evidence available and survey of the remaining stonework would probably decide whether there were two or three kilns, and if a workman's shed existed. As the 1889 OS Somerset sheet XXXIV.2 gives 'old limekiln' the more easterly ones were ruinous then. The 1876 Holnicote Estate map gives 'limekilns' but tends to follow the Tithe map and not necessarily always fit the evidence on the ground. [2]
The remains of the kilns at SS8915 4834 and SS 8916 4835 were visible on historical aerial photographs and mapped as part of the Severn Estuary RCZAS mapping project in 2007. Further information, sources and photograph references are available in the Exmoor National Park HER record MSO8056 and MSO8057. [4-5]
References
- SNA65155 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 2007. Bossington Farm Archaeological Survey.
- SNA69537 - Report: Crowther, S and Dickson, A. 2008. Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: National Mapping Programme. 957639 and 957648.
- SNA69539 - Collection: Exmoor National Park Authority. Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record (HER). MSO8056 and MSO8057.
- SNA69577 - Vernacular Building Survey: National Trust. 1992. VBS: The Limekiln Bossington Beach, Bossington. Building 2.
- SZN48220 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 2001. Holnicote Estate Archaeological Survey, Somerset. 115412. [Mapped feature: #182235 ]
Designations
None Recorded
Other Statuses and References
- HER/SMR Reference (External) (Exmoor NP HER): MSO8056
- HER/SMR Reference (External) (Exmoor NP HER): MSO8057
- HER/SMR Reference (External) (Exmoor NP HER): MSO8058
- HER/SMR Reference (External) (Exmoor NP HER): MSO8059
Associated Events
- ENA3149 - Field Survey, Archaeological Survey of the Holnicote Estate 2001
- ENA6642 - Field Survey, Bossington Farm Archaeological Survey
- ENA10577 - Heritage Assessment, Vernacular Building Surveys within the Holnicote Estate, 1991-1997
- ENA10529 - Heritage Assessment, Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: National Mapping Programme
Associated Finds
None Recorded