Llanymynech Heritage Area facts for kids
The Llanymynech Heritage Area is a cool historic spot in Shropshire, England, near the village of Llanymynech. It used to be a busy place where people dug for limestone and made lime. You can find it right next to the A483 road and close to the Montgomery Canal. It's about 6 miles (10 km) south of Oswestry and 9 miles (14 km) north of Welshpool.
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Why is Llanymynech Special?
This place is really important for understanding industrial history in the UK. It has one of only three Hoffmann kilns left in the whole country! A Hoffmann kiln is a special type of oven used to make lime.
People have been working with lime here for a very long time, maybe even since the medieval period. The first map showing the site is from 1753. But the area's history goes back even further! There's an old hill fort from prehistoric times on Llanymynech Hill. Also, Offa's Dyke, an ancient earthwork, runs very close by. People have also mined for copper and lead here since at least the Roman times.
What You Can See at the Site
Before the Montgomery Canal opened in 1796, people dug for limestone on a smaller scale. But even then, there were ovens (lime kilns) inside the quarry.
In 1806, a special track called a tramway was built. It had an incline to help move limestone from the quarry down to the canal. Later, another tramway became the main way to transport materials. It was used until the quarry closed in 1914.
When the Llanfyllin branch railway line opened in 1863, it made a huge difference. It meant limestone could be moved much faster and to more places. More tracks and special sidings were added. Two "draw kilns" were also built. These kilns were designed to work all the time, but they were stopped by 1900.
The Hoffmann kiln was the last big addition, built around 1900. It's really well-preserved and looks amazing! It's about 147 feet (44.8 meters) long and has 14 round-shaped arches. The tall chimney, which is a local landmark, stands about 139 feet (42.5 meters) high.
Bringing the Heritage Area Back to Life
From 2006 to 2009, a big project worked to restore the site. Money came from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, plus other groups. The goal was to protect the site so visitors could enjoy it and learn from it.
As part of the project, archaeologists carefully dug up parts of the site. They wanted to find out more about old tramways, ground levels, and where old turntables (for turning wagons) used to be.
A local community group also got funding to highlight how important the area is. They did many cool things, like:
- Ordering a special sculpture, information boards, signs, and leaflets.
- Adding picnic benches and places to sit.
- Organizing volunteer visits, cleaning up the canal area, giving tours, and opening an old stable building.
- Creating a website and collecting old stories and photos about the area.
Cool Finds from the Site
Some interesting items found at the site are now on display at the Oswestry Town Museum. These include tools, a quarry worker's boot, a piece of a tramway track, special links used to join railway cars, and a pulley wheel.
Exploring with Walks
The Llanymynech Heritage Area is a great place for walks! You can choose short or long paths that take you past old lime kilns, through woodlands, along canals, by old railway lines, and through fields where animals graze. Along the way, you'll find information panels and sculptures that tell you more about the area. Some paths can be a bit rough, so it's a good idea to wear suitable shoes.
