Sandon Limekiln, Staffs

**oildrum** · 10th September 2010, 17:25

Alongside the Trent & Mersey canal at Sandon is this recently (6 years ago) re-discovered 1790's kiln. The site was & still is part of the Sandon Estate, with the kiln being used for flint (for the pottery industry) & limestone (for building & fertilizer) with all raw materials being brought in by the canal.

Work is ongoing to uncover & survey the site, with plans to have it scheduled & open to the public.

Few pics from HOD event today (also open on sunday afternoon):

Kiln seen from the canal (no wonder it remained undiscovered for so long

Seen from the road with workers cottages in the foreground

The impressive front to the kiln

View inside

Trough from when kiln was used as a pigsty

Top of the kiln

More ifo available at Staffordshire Industrial Archaeology Sandon lime kiln project

**mikejee** · 10th September 2010, 22:41

Looks interesting, but it wouldn't have taken much rediscovering, as it is shown on the 1924 OS map as a limekiln at http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...ekilnc1924.jpg

It doesn't seem to want to put the image on , so I'll give the link

**oildrum** · 11th September 2010, 17:59

Originally Posted by mikejee

Looks interesting, but it wouldn't have taken much rediscovering, as it is shown on the 1924 OS map as a limekiln at http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/q...ekilnc1924.jpg

It doesn't seem to want to put the image on , so I'll give the link

Yes suppose there must have been those who knew of its existance, in fact a garage to one of the workers cottages is directly in front of the entrance. But due to neglect was totally covered in vegetation & trees, with the actual "bowl" of the kiln being used as place to deposit rubbish

Quite a bit of the stonework has also been robbed over the years.

Real reason it "was off the radar" is probably due to it being on land belonging to the Sandon estate, therefore normally out of bounds. Interesting place though

**BereniceUK** · 12th September 2010, 05:51

There's lots of interesting stuff (interesting to me, that is!) on the Sandon Estate. Shame they don't have an open day there

**oildrum** · 12th September 2010, 09:21

Originally Posted by BereniceUK

There's lots of interesting stuff (interesting to me, that is!) on the Sandon Estate. Shame they don't have an open day there

there used to be craft & antique fairs on the estate, remember going to one a few years ago. Not sure if they still have them but thats about the nearest to an open day.

**davexvs** · 5th October 2010, 22:11

there is a good restored larger example of a lime kiln at consall forge. brings back memories of when as a small group of volenteers we started clearing the vegitation and trees around the kiln, in the early seventies. visited there again in 2008 well surprised at the completed restoration

.....pity it couldnt have been restored to working order.---

spose money is real tight ad volenteers are few and far between hope this info was of intrest

dave xvs xxx Consall Forge kilns

**oildrum** · 6th October 2010, 14:14

Yes davexvs the lime kilns at consall forge certainly look a lot better than when I saw them first (long time ago

)

Quite a few others along the Churnet valley (Froghall, Oakamoor), but this one in Sandon totally different as its "free standing" not against a hillside.

**yamahapaul** · 6th October 2010, 21:17

Originally Posted by davexvs

there is a good restored larger example of a lime kiln at consall forge. brings back memories of when as a small group of volenteers we started clearing the vegitation and trees around the kiln, in the early seventies. visited there again in 2008 well surprised at the completed restoration

.....pity it couldnt have been restored to working order.---

spose money is real tight ad volenteers are few and far between hope this info was of intrest

dave xvs xxx Consall Forge kilns

I've fixed the link on this

**Miss Survey** · 14th October 2010, 07:16

Originally Posted by BereniceUK

There's lots of interesting stuff (interesting to me, that is!) on the Sandon Estate. Shame they don't have an open day there

...they have some events! Sandon Hall - News & Diary Dates that you could probably gatecrash

Quote
Plant Fairs will make a welcome return to Sandon on Bank Holiday Monday, 2 May 2011.
Flower Power, which runs a number of events in the Midlands and North, will be hosting its first fair at Sandon. Green-fingered visitors will be able to browse a variety of stalls selling rare and unusual plants and flowers.
The 50-acre gardens will also be open to explore and visitors are welcome to bring a picnic.
For more details call 01889 508004 or go to www.flowerpowerfairs.co.uk.
Fair open 10-4. Adults £5, Children free. Refreshments available. Parking free. Disabled access.