MSO7481 - Lime Kiln Quarry, Luxborough (Monument)

Summary

The site of a quarry, waterwheel and associated limekiln. The wheel pit and pond are still extant.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (4)

Protected Status

Full Description

Extensive quarry and excavation to the south of main quarry. There is a limekiln at SS 9659 3884. The quarry was closed in the early 1920s. [1] The waterwheel is situated beside the kiln at SS 9653 3888 and was used to haul tubs up incline (still partly visible). The wheel pit and pond still extant. The waterwheel has an overshot wheel 15 feet by 30 feet, reputedly made by Hawke's of Taunton. It was fed by leat from a small stream around the side of pit to a small head pond. The waterwheel was still in use in 1932. [2] The nearby lane is called "Kiln Lane" on the Ordnance Survey Archaeological Division 6 inch map. [3] The kiln is in fairly good condition, although vegetation is beginning to threaten the masonry structure. To the south is a slight depression which may mark the site of an earlier kiln. On the north side of the kiln is a wheel pit, which formerly housed a 15 foot overshot wheel. The bearing mountings survive as do parts of the laundering. The wheel was used to power a single track incline from the quarry. [4] The Kiln is 3.8 metres in diameter and 5 metres high. The waterwheel has a width of 0.9 metres and a diameter of 4.3 metres. The sides of the wheel pit remain at their original height and the pit contains the remains of the timber baulks which supported the axle. Other significant artifacts found during field investigate were metal sleepers and the winch handle. The Luxborough Tithe map of 1843 shows a circular kiln in a plot refered to as 'Lime Kiln Quarry'. The kiln on the 1902 Ordnanace Survey map is not in the location of the current kiln but further east in the location of the possible older kiln. The 1902 map also shows a range of building to the north-west,but there is no remaining evidence of these. In the 1840's the kiln was operated for and by Nurcott Farm, however by the late 1870's the lime was being produced for use across the estate. By the late 1930's the quarry site was abandoned. The machinery was recovered for scrap during the Second World War. The combination of a kiln and waterwheel located so close together may be virtually unique. [5] Documented. [6] 19th century lime kiln built of random rubble with a sloping front face, 4 metres high, with a broad segmental draw arch. There is a single draw eye with an iron lintel. [7] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [8,9]

Sources/Archives (10)

  • --- Report: Unknown. 2000. English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Reports: Lime Cement and Plaster, Somerset 1. English Heritage.
  • <1> Article in serial: Williams, E.F.. 1978. Parish surveys in Somerset two: Luxborough. Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Society. 2. P. 19.
  • <2> Verbal communication: Various. Various. Oral Information. D Warren, Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society, 6 December 1977.
  • <3> Map: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1962. 6" SS93NE.
  • <4> Report: Holley, S.. 1997. An Investigation of Limekilns on Exmoor for the Purposes of Conservation. Site 021.
  • <5> Article in serial: Daniel, P.. 2011. A Limekiln at Nurcott, Luxborough. Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society Bulletin. 118. P. 6-17.
  • <6> Report: Unknown. 2000. English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Reports: The Quarrying Industry, Somerset 3. English Heritage.
  • <7> Report: Unknown. 2000. English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Reports: Lime Cement and Plaster, Somerset 1. English Heritage.
  • <8> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1128122, Extant 25 April 2022.
  • <9> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1465750, Updated 28 April 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO11398
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 93 NE137
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 93 NE64
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1128122
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1465750
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 33754

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9656 3882 (141m by 138m)
Map sheet SS93NE
Civil Parish LUXBOROUGH, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Apr 28 2022 1:03PM

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