Monument record MDO882 - Lime kiln at Chickerell

A lime kiln shown on the 1839 tithe map, and recorded as ‘old limekiln’ on the first edition (1886-9) and second edition (1900-1902) Ordnance Survey maps, as well as revised maps from 1927 and 1938. The date of this kiln is not known but it is most likely to be early nineteenth century. The site was visited in 1992-93 by Peter Stanier, who noted that some (40-59%) of the kiln survived in fair condition, and that it had a round, brick-built draw arch. A more recent visit by Cotswold Archaeology confirmed that the kiln survives in fair condition.

Grid reference used by Stanier {1} adjusted with reference to {2}.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1994, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1993, 33-49 (Serial). SDO93.

<2> Blackwell, R, 2008, Land at Bank and Ridge Farms, Chickerell, Dorset. Rapid Archaeological Appraisal. (Unpublished document). SDO13375.

'A limekiln is situated within the site (Fig. 2, 10; Fig. 3, Fig. 4; DHER) which was shown on the 1890 Ordnance Survey map and is most likely of 19th-century date. This would have produced agricultural lime for local use. The limekiln is situated within a wooded belt at the centre of the site, adjacent to Barn Lane, and is partially built into the natural slope of the hill. Constructed from rough courses of undressed stone, it is c. 3.5m square with walls c. 0.5m thick. The south-facing elevation is c. 1.8m high and the ground to the north has been built up and is level with the top of the limekiln. There is evidence of an increase in ground level to the south of the structure: the top of the drawhole arch, which allowed air into the base of the limekiln, is barely visible at the base of the southern elevation (Fig. 3, Fig. 4).'

Record last edited

Jun 17 2014 4:14PM