Low Alwinton Lime Kiln

Countryside lime kilns were the key to 'sweetening' the acidic soils of north Northumberland, enabling farming improvements in the eighteenth century. The surviving triple arched kiln at Low Alwinton is a particularly fine example and a tourist attraction in the Northumberland National Park. The lime was also used in making mortar for buildings, the original 'cement' before the widespread introduction of Portland cement in the mid nineteenth century. Here, a condition report by Robin Kent Architecture & Conservation highlighted a number of urgent repairs and led on to the preparation of a scheme of conservation works and competitve tenders being obtained by the consultancy, as a basis for seeking grant aid to ensure its survival.