Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Calcining Kilns
Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Industrial
- Date of designation
- 9 February 1995
- Locality
- Blaenafon Ironworks
- Community
- Blaenavon
- Unitary authority
- Torfaen
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.77751, -3.08936
- Cadw reference
- 15295
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated at the northern edge of the site, above the Blast furnaces.
History
Calcining ovens were used to reduce impurities from the iron ore before smelting. Deakin's map of 1819 shows two rows of kilns in use on the site, although the existing run of kilns are later (pre 1880). Broken ore was tipped into the kilns from a tramway on the bank behind. From here ore was tipped into the furnaces.
Exterior
Course rubble-stone structures, built into the bank, on a roughly rectangular plan. The surviving two kilns have semi-circular brick arch openings and firebrick linings. A flight of restored, brick steps leads to their upper level at the north end.
Reason for designation
Part of Scheduled Ancient Monument Mm 200.
Included as a rare example of calcining kilns.
Group value with other listed items at Blaenavon Ironworks.
Nearby in the register
- Blast FurnacesIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Blaenafon IronworksIronworksunder 1 mi
- Cast House and FoundryDomesticunder 1 mi
- Balance TowerIndustrialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.