Late 18th century lime kiln at Littlemill West Quarry, Longhoughton.


19th century lime kiln at Littlemill West Quarry, Longhoughton.

(NU 228173) Littlemill Quarries (Disused). (1)

NU 228173. Little Mill lime kilns and quarries covering an area of several acres is now disused. There are two sets of kilns, the older one possibly late 18th century, has a single kiln and three drawholes on a semi-circular plan. The other is in fact a group of eight kilns with central Gothic arched access way of most impressive size and style. Negotiations are at present taking place with the owner to 'develop' the whole quarry complex as an Industrial and Wildlife Reserve. Recommended as Schedule. (2)

Two limekilns east of The Limery. The main limekiln (Grade II*) is early 19th century, enlarged later 19th century. Massive rectangular structure c.30m x 18m, with charging ramp to south. Eight kilns with eyes open onto a central north-south passage. Overall height c.18m. Four pairs of pots on top, elliptical plan. Interior: four segmental-headed drawing arches each side of the central passage. Three smaller transverse passages have straight joints in side walls indicating the kiln was widened. One of the largest 19th century limekilns in the country. Generally well-preserved.
The second limekiln (Grade II) is circular in plan. Late 18th or early 19th century. Charging ramp on south. Three segmental-headed drawing arches, massive buttress between. Single rectangular eye per arch. Circular pot. (3)

Two limekilns. NU 22841745, Grade II* commercial kiln. High gothic-arched entrance at the north end provided direct access to kilns for a short branch of the Newcastle to Berwick railway line. Inside, two rows of four kilns face each other across the loading line so that the burnt lime could be drawn directly into waggons. Other railway lines enabled coal to be brought in.
NU 22821739, Grade II older single pot kiln. May have been an estate kiln for the Howick Estate. (4)

Plan, elevation and sectional elevation of the older kiln with three arches and one pot. Scale 1:100.
Littlemill 'New' limekilns. Large commercial limekilns with railway sidings and internal rail system. Three elevations plus plan view showing the internal plan, scale 1:100. Sectional elevation with detail of one of internal arches; plan of kiln and its embankment and the associated nearby coal drops, scale 1:200 and 1:50. (5)

The Littlemill limeworks, built c.1848 or slightly later, is one of the largest banks of commercial lime kilns in the country and was established to exploit the new export opportunities afforded by the construction of the Morpeth to Tweedmouth railway. A branch of the line leads into a central loading tunnel within the kiln structure. The entrance of the loading tunnel includes a high pointed Gothic arch which is both visually striking and unique. The kilns consist of three pairs of oval and one pair of circular brick-lined pots fed via a tramway which runs up a large earthen ramp to the rear. The pots each have a segmental-headed draw arch situated 4.5m above ground surface, each with four draw eyes which were emptied into the central tunnel at waggon-top height. Three small cross passages include butt joints in the side walls indicating that the kiln structure had been widened at some stage.
A relatively well-preserved single pot kiln, possibly of late 18th century date, lies immediately south west. In addition, remains of various structures survive about the kilns, reputedly including the remains of coal drops. The limestone quarry to the south, which supplied the kilns, survives immediately to the south.
An exceptional well-preserved mid 19th century railside lime works. The site is of clear national importance and displays an unparalleled range of rare features. The structure of the 19th century kiln has begun to decline since first visit in 1996, with significant masonry loss from the upper north east corner (seen 1997). (6)

Additional Reference (7)