Bank of Lime Kilns at Pentre Gwenlais Stone Quarry, Pentre Gwenlais Road (NE side)

Cadw's description

Location

Built into a steep bank near SE end of Pentre Gwenlais Limestone Quarry which lies to N of Pentre-Gwenlais village, approximately 1km W of A483.

History

Dated 1903, and contemporary with a major quarry development at the south east of Carmel Woods. This area already had a tradition of limeworks: Cil-yr-ychen Quarry, to the east, retains a substantial bank of limekilns from c1870.
The design suggests that is was intended as a bank of 5 kilns - see positioning of date, lack of battering at the left end and springing for a further arch.
An engraving of c1905 and the 2nd edition OS map surveyed in 1905 shows the structure as it is today with three kilns. Railways brought the limestone and coal in at the top and took the lime away at the bottom. The lines at top encircled each kiln. Many associated industrial buildings, including an engine shed, have disappeared from the area to the south and west of the kilns.
Pentre-Gwenlais and Cil-yr-ychen quarries merged in 1906 to form Lime Firms Ltd. The firm was purchased by Sir Alfred McAlpine and Son Ltd in 1975, after discontinuance of lime burning, and is now owned by Tarmac Plc.

Exterior

Vast masonry bank of limekilns strongly battered at front and right end, built in randomly coursed rubble with red brick semicircular arches to the working areas. Prominently dated 1903 in brick over the left-hand of the three arches. Within each working area is a pair of deeply recessed and camber-headed working-holes. Formerly there were hoppers to the front through which the lime was drawn straight down into railway waggons; the upper parts of the chutes remain in situ. This mechanised loading of the quicklime accounts for the immense height of the structure. Across the front of the working areas is a communicating walkway with square-headed tunnels and stone lintels through the masonry piers. The kilns were charged from the platform at the top which has remains of a stone parapet. Reinforcement to left end.

Interior

Tall cylindrical kilns thickly lined with vitrified brick.

Reason for designation

A well-preserved early C20 limekilns complex exhibiting unusual layout; design features associated with an exceptionally high level of mechanisation.