Llanymynech Heritage Area facts for kids
The Llanymynech Heritage Area is a really cool historical spot. It used to be a busy place where people made lime and dug up rocks in a quarry. This industrial site is near the village of Llanymynech in Shropshire, England. It's right next to the A483 road and close to the Montgomery Canal. You can find it about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Oswestry and 9 miles (14.5 km) north of Welshpool in Powys, Wales.
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Why This Place Is Special
This heritage area is super important for understanding how industries worked in the past. 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 making lime here for a very long time. We don't know exactly when it started, but it might have been as far back as the Middle Ages. The first time this site was shown on a map was in 1753.
The area around Llanymynech has a long history. There's an ancient hill fort on Llanymynech Hill. Also, Offa's Dyke, a huge earth wall built long ago, runs very close by. People even mined for copper and lead here during the Roman period.
What You Can See at the Site
Before the Montgomery Canal opened in 1796, people dug up limestone here on a smaller scale. But there were already lime kilns in the quarry by 1753. These kilns were used to "burn" limestone and turn it into lime.
In 1806, a special tramway and a sloping track were built. These helped move limestone from the quarry down to a new dock on the canal. Later, between 1807 and 1837, another tramway was built. This second tramway became the main way to transport materials. It was used until the quarry closed in 1914.
How Railways Changed Things
When the Llanfyllin branch railway line opened in 1863, it made a big difference. This line was part of Cambrian Railways. It meant limestone could be moved much faster and to more places. More tracks and sidings (extra railway lines) were added. Two new draw kilns were also built after 1874. These kilns were designed to work all the time, but they were no longer used by 1900.
The Hoffmann kiln was the last big addition to the site. It was likely built around 1900. More tramways and rail tracks were added then too. This kiln is very well preserved. It's about 44.8 meters (147 feet) long and 17.5 meters (57 feet) wide. It has two tunnel-like sections with 14 round-shaped arches. The tall chimney, which you can see from far away, stands on a base and is about 42.5 meters (139 feet) high.
Bringing the Site Back to Life
From 2006 to 2009, a big project worked to restore the Llanymynech Heritage Area. Money for this came from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage. Other groups also helped with funding. The goal was to protect the site so visitors could enjoy it and learn from it.
As part of the project, archaeologists studied the site. They wanted to find out more about important features. This included where the old tramways were, what the ground looked like, and where the turntable tracks used to be.
A local community project also got money from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This project helped show how important the area is. They did things like:
- Ordering a special sculpture, information boards, signs, and leaflets.
- Putting out picnic benches and seats for visitors.
- Organizing volunteer visits, cleaning up the canal wharf, and giving tours.
- Creating a website and collecting old stories and photos about the area.
Old Tools and Finds
Some interesting items found at the site are now on display. You can see them at the Oswestry Town Museum. These include old tools and even a quarry worker's boot. There's also a tramway sleeper (a piece of wood that supports the tracks), couplings (parts that connect train cars), and a pulley wheel.
Exploring the Area on Foot
The Llanymynech Heritage Area is a great place for walks. You can choose short or long paths. These routes take you past the old lime kilns, through woodlands, along canals, and next to old railway lines. You'll also see fields where animals graze. Along the way, there are information panels and sculptures to teach you about the area. Some paths can be a bit rough, so it's a good idea to wear sturdy shoes.
