Smardale Gill lime
kilns, located at NY72430653, are mid-19th century constructions and
represent a major commercial lime producing operation. The kilns are of two
phases of construction, with the one to the right being the original, and
consist of a large bank of two dressed limestone kilns up to 10m high. Both
kilns have two draw holes set within semi-circular draw arches which are set
about 2m above ground level. Access to the draw holes was by steps cut into
the face of the wall. A railway siding enabled trucks to be shunted into
position and burned lime could then be shovelled directly into the trucks.
The two charge holes above the kilns are largely infilled but the original
one displays evidence of having been lined with firebricks. The kilns are
draw hole type lime kilns which were used to burn limestone. Typically the
limestone was tipped into the kilns from above via the charge holes then
burned using wood, coal or coke as a fuel. The resultant quicklime, also
known as birdlime or slaked lime, was then shovelled out from the draw holes
at the bottom of the kilns. Lime has many uses including spreading on lime
deficient soils to encourage plant growth, the whitewashing of walls and
ceilings of buildings, and concrete and cement production. At Smardale Gill
the fuel was brought to the charge holes in trucks along a tramway or
inclined plane to the south of the kilns. The trucks were hauled by a
stationary engine located in an engine house, the ruins of which still
contain the engine beds located above the kiln adjacent to the charge holes.
To the rear is an extensive quarry containing numerous spoil heaps which is
believed to have been exploited for building stone as well as lime for
burning. Smardale Gill lime kilns are a Listed Building Grade II.