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Summary

Limekiln possibly built in the 1720s to serve the Rumleigh Estate, and remained in used during the 19th century.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX46NW/506

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• LIME KILN (XVII to XVIII - 1700 AD? (Between) to 1769 AD (Between))

Full description

1954, Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV241233.

Rumleigh lime-kiln. 'old limekiln' marked on os 6" (1954) map (os).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV241234.

Minchinton, w. /industrial archaeology in devon/(1973)31.

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV241235.

Des=os 6" (1954).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV241236.

Nmr=sx46nw43.

Meaton, C, 2023, Rumleigh House Limekiln and Summerhouse, Bere Alston: Conservation Assessment, (TAMARA Project), 4-26, 34-35; Figs 1-4; 34-35; Photos 2, 4-12 (Report - Assessment). SDV365594.

The Limekiln is shown on a 1769 estate map, with a quay located nearby, and may have been constructed at the same time as the Georgian wing of Rumleigh House, by Robert Young in the 1720s, possibly to provide an adequate and ready supply of lime for building mortar.
It may well have remained in use during at least part of the 19th century, but is labelled as ‘Old Limekiln’ on the 1905 OS map, so was presumably disused by this time.
It was constructed of uncoursed slate rubble and measured approximately 5.8m by 5.3m with a maximum surviving height of 3.7m. Draw hole openings were recorded in the northeast and south-west elevations of the kiln. A loading platform formed the high ground, abutting the south-east side of the kiln. Together, in plan, the masonry footprint and loading platform presents a squat, reversed L-shape.
The charging hole was visible on the ground surface on top of the kiln, but was collapsed, infilled, and overgrown. Two established trees were growing out of the centre and no masonry features or debris were visible, due to the vegetation cover.
Based on the present survey, the Limekiln is assessed to be in poor and deteriorating condition. The upper wall veneer to the north-east elevation has failed completely and the upper levels of masonry to the north-west and south-west elevations are being slowly eroded and destabilised by dense vegetation and tree roots. Moreover, should the mature tree growing from the wall top of the north-west elevation fall, as seems likely given its weight and precarious angle, then this will certainly cause failure to the surrounding masonry, if not much of the surviving elevation.
General clearance of the loading platform and charging hole level, as well as the surrounding wall tops, would enable the identification of any other surviving structural features, as well as further assessment of the structure’s general competence. The small section of retaining wall to the loading platform was densely overgrown and considered to be in poor and deteriorating condition.
Without intervention, further collapses and failures are considered highly likely in the short to medium term, especially at higher levels and along wall tops. That said, where the walls were not impacted by vegetation and associated root action, most particularly around lower levels and the draw hole openings, their condition was considered to be stable, with the masonry and bonding mortar having retained much of its strength.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

"Limekiln (disused)" shown.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV9170 - Conservation Assessment: Rumsleigh House Limekiln and Summerhouse, Bere Ferrers (Ref: CR1329)

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