Neath Abbey Ironworks Calcining Kilns

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The monument comprises a bank of three, formerly four, calcining kilns located at the western end of the charging ramp that supplied the two blast furnaces at Neath Abbey Ironworks, which was founded c. 1795 by the Quaker firm Fox, Price and Taylor. The kilns were sketched by Gilpin in 1796 and are probably contemporaneous with the construction of the furnaces in 1792/93. The kiln bank is aligned N-S, comprising a main E-facing masonry elevation with northern and southern masonry return walls merging with the access ramp on the western side. Early Ordnance Survey maps suggest that the kilns were circular in shape on plan, but they are now inaccessible beneath vegetation. The eastern elevation is constructed from slabs of coursed and faced Pennant stone, and measures 14.8m in length and 3m in height. It contains three draw arches with well-defined voussoirs, each recess measuring c. 2m in height, 3.4m in width and 1.9m in depth. The masonry in the draw arches is very similar in appearance to that in the blast furnaces. Each draw arch provided access to a pair of draw holes, suggesting that the kilns were oval or that circular kilns were located between the arches rather than behind. The northern elevation measures 2.5m in height and 6.4m in width (E-W). The lower portion is hidden by a modern garden terrace. A masonry parapet wall, measuring 0.7m in height, surmounts the central and western portions of the northern elevation. The southern kiln was demolished c. 1897-1914 to accommodate the South Wales Railway, which was constructed c. 1846. The exposed demolition surface was equipped with a new masonry facing. The north arch springer of the demolished southern kiln survives at the S end of the eastern elevation adjacent to the large quoins. The southern elevation now forms the boundary with the modern railway line. The draw arches face on to the rear yard of a neighbouring domestic property (11 Penyard Rd), and the upper surface of the kiln bank is covered in vegetation, forming part of the garden of 12 Penyard Rd.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance and illustrate our knowledge and understanding of the development of the iron industry. The site forms an important component within Neath Abbey Ironworks. The kilns must be amongst the earliest built in south Wales and may be the oldest surviving examples.

They are well preserved and retain considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of artefactual remains as well as evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail. The importance of the calcining kilns is further enhanced by their group value with Neath Abbey Ironworks (GM389) and Neath Abbey Ironworks Dam (GM395).

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and an area around within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It centres on OS NGR 273682 197764, is polygonal in shape on plan and measures a maximum of 20.5m N-S by 8.5m E-W.