Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
22378
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
29/09/1999
Date of Amendment
29/09/1999
Name of Property
Limekiln at Cwrt Herbert
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Swansea
Community
Bishopston
Town
Swansea
Locality
Bishopston
Easting
258614
Northing
188373
Street Side
Location
Located in the grounds of Cwrt Herbert, close to the N entrance. Surrounded by trees and the remains of quarrying activity.
Description
Broad Class
Industrial
Period
History
An isolated limekiln built immediately next to the quarrying site. Lime burning was an important industry in the Gower from the C16, and was particularly significant in the C18 in an era of agricultural improvement. Much of the lime was shipped to SW England, where it was used to sweeten the acid moorland soils. Gower limestone has a high magnesium content, and can be burnt easily, both with wood or coal. This kiln appears to have been rebuilt on the same site, slightly offset to the S. Frequent rebuilding was a common practice with Gower limekilns.
Exterior
Single limekiln of circular plan, standing roughly full height. Massive walls of limestone on splayed plinth. The interior of the kiln chamber is lined in red sandstone, and there is a fire-bar at the base. Draw-arch to NW, with surviving floor and draw-hole to rear. On the NE side is a recess, which appears to be the draw-arch of an earlier kiln: the thick N wall, which now acts as a retaining structure, appears to respect this former opening. The kiln was charged from the higher ground to the S, which was where the limestone was quarried. Recently restored.
Interior
Reason for designation
Listed as a good survival of the lime-burning industry in Gower, a significant industry in this part of Wales.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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