Llanymynech Heritage Area

A unique opportunity to discover our industrial past. As one of only 3 remaining Hoffman Kilns in the country, this is a nationally significant industrial heritage area. The site forms part of the limeworks landscape, from rock extraction on the high cliffs of Llanymynech Rocks, down the inclined plains through to the kilns and beyond, transporting the finished lime via the Montgomery Canal and Railway.

This area was a major centre of the lime industry until the beginning of the 1900's and retains a number of important features of industrial archaeology. The impressive 39 metre high chimney of the Hoffman Kiln dominates the site and provides visitors with a focal point to a varied site. Short circular walks (30 mins - 2 hrs) take you past impressive lime kilns, through woodland, along canals and disused railways, and across grazed pasture with views of Llanymynech Rocks, a Shropshire Wildlife Trust reserve.

The Llanymynech Limeworks Heritage Project is a 3 year project, which started in January 2006. It has received funding support of nearly £900,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, The Aggregates Levy Sustainable Fund and from the project Partners to restore and conserve this nationally significant site. A Conservation Plan has been developed which outlines the conservation issues and provides a summary of the recommendations to take forward the development of the site. The Conservation Plan is provided as an attachment on this page.

Peter Dunhill is the Llanymynech Limeworks Community Project Officer and is responsible for overseeing the project and in particular interpretation, marketing, education and community liaison. He is based with the Shropshire Countryside Service at Swan Hill, Ellesmere, SY12 0DQ and can be contacted on 01691 624448 or by email: peter.dunhill@shropshire-cc.gov.uk.

The Heritage Project is just one aspect of the Llanymynech Community Project, originally funded through Heritage Lottery Fund. Visit the Community Project’s website by clicking on the link on this page. This website will also contain regular updates as the Heritage Project develops.

Location: Near A483 6 miles south of Oswestry, grid ref SJ266211 (to see a map showing the location of the site click on the link on this page)

A small parking area is available off the A483 at the British Waterways depot.

Recreational Activities: Reasonably level walking, some surfaced paths. Some unsurfaced routes and rough ground.

The Hoffman Hike leaflet is available as an attachment on this page.

A new family friendly route has been designed at the site and is available for download on this page. (Other family friendly walks are available at other Countryside sites).

Grazing
Grazing is the best way of managing the meadows on this site and we are working with the 'Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme (SLGS)' to support or introduce grazing management where feasible. To find out more about the SLGS click the link on this page

If you or your organisation would like to hold a public event on this site please contact us