Description and History of Site:-

Probably early 19th century, one of the few surviving limekilns of many hundreds built prior to the large-scale lime production on the edge of the Dales in the latter part of the 19th century.

Information panel:

Knipe Scar Lime Kiln was opened during the 1790s. Limestone came from the quarries behind the kiln and was burnt here to make lime until the 1880s.

Usually a small team worked at the quarry and kiln. After the stone getter had quarried the stone, it had to be broken up, often by boys and women, before it could be burnt. Then the stone was barrowed down to the kiln by the wheeler. He would bring his barrow down the track which can still be seen today, and empty the stone by the top of the kiln.

Lime burning was not an occupation for the faint-hearted. Imagine having to tend an enormous, smouldering fire which made poisonous fumes that made you feel dizzy and sick. Limestone dust would irritate your eyes and lungs, while lime would burn your skin.

In 1870, the bowl of the kiln was relined with fire-bricks by Benjamin North of Wortley, Leeds. You can still see, his name on the firestones around the arch of the drawhole.

The limeburners loaded the kiln with limestone and coal, which was brought from the nearby mines on the moor above Kettlewell. Kindling was laid at the bottom of the kiln and then it was filled with layers of stone and fuel.

The kiln had to burn slowly, until all the fuel had gone and 'lump lime' was left at the bottom of the bowl in the draw hole. It was a real skill to make sure that the stone burnt at the right temperature, and to know when it was ready. The burnt stone was loaded either onto a packhorse or into a cart.

By the 1860s small kilns, such as Knipe Scar, were going out of business. They couldn't compete with the larger kilns that were springing up near Settle and Ingleton. Better roads and the building of the railway meant the people in the countryside could get their lime cheaper from elsewhere, and as Yorkshire folk they rightly took advantage of this.

Knipe Scar kiln had stopped working by the end of the 1870s. One hundred years later the kiln was in need of some care and attention, and in 1986 the right side of the kiln was rebuilt. The other side was consolidated in 2008.

Further Reading and References:-

Raistrick, A. 'Old Yorkshire Dales'. 1967

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Key Words :- limekiln

Viewing the Site :- Kettlewell Smelt Mill is owned by the Trust Lords of Kettlewell, who have given their permission for public access

Address :- B6160, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire
Grid Ref :- SD9685571726
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.141359 , Long -2.049637
Local Authority :- North Yorkshire Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1316825,
Contributor :- Robert Mason - 28 July 2025

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Robert Mason