The Lime Kiln
Built in 1814 this kiln was used to burn rock lime. A full time attendant would have built up alternate layers of rock lime and coal inside the kiln. The finished lime was then raked out through a small doorway before the whole process began again.
It’s not the first lime kiln to be sited on Breageside, with the earliest recorded pair dating back to around 1770, producing lime for use in the construction of early cottages around the cove. What is thought to be a very early kiln has also been discovered close to Loe Bar. The Lime Kiln you still see today was built for Archibald Blair, one of the Porthleven Harbour Company directors, but he died soon after its completion and the Harbour Company bought the kiln. Initially the product was used in harbour building work, then later it was bought by local builders for construction and lime washing, and used by farmers to balance acidic soils. Villagers were quick to appreciate the source of free heat at the kiln and it was not unusual to find clothes drying nearby.
Villagers were quick to appreciate the source of free heat at the kiln and it was not unusual to find clothes drying nearby. Or to find mischievous youths cooking fish and other edibles filched from incoming ships cargoes. Most of the limestone was imported from Plymouth and the coal was poor quality culm, shipped from South Wales. The last shipment of limestone is recorded entering the port in 1910. A small amount was subsequently bought in by road for the odd burning but the days of the kiln were numbered.
The Lime Kiln is now a Grade II listed building. It was rescued from beneath a covering of rubbish, weeds and ivy by local historians Martin Matthews and Stuart Pascoe in 2007. Their restoration included wall repairs, adding a protective cap to prevent water penetration and, of course, two coats of limewash. During the Porthleven Food Festival in April the Lime Kiln has been turned into a very innovative bar.
