Marsden Lime Kilns
Lime Kiln South Shields Tyne And Wear

Marsden Lime Kilns

Lime Kiln In South Shields, Tyne And Wear

Lime kilns on the coast near South Shields, built in the 1870s.

We love a lime kiln here at Fabulous North and Marsden's must be in our top ten.

The lime kilns are right on the coast and visible as you drive along the A183 coast road in South Shields. You can also get fairly close to them on foot, but there is a barrier just in front of them to prevent people going inside.

The fifteen lime kilns were built in the 1870s and processed lime from the nearby quarry. Limestone was heated using the coal from the nearby colliery to produce lime for the agricultural and steel industries. The lime was then transported to the docks on the Marsden Rattler railway. The train got it's name from the noise it made carrying all the stone, and there is a restaurant on the sea front which is called the Marsden Rattler.

The success of the industry in that area meant that two additional round kilns were added in 1895, and these are the two prominent red brick kilns on the left of the structure.

It is thought that the lime kilns were closed during WW2, so that light from the kilns could not be seen by the enemy. Afterwards, it became difficult to keep them operational and they closed altogether in 1968, along with the closure of the colliery.

Part of the quarry behind the kilns is now a stunning nature reserve. The Limestone rock provides ideal conditions for wildflowers and attracts a huge variety of birds every year including Redstarts and Ring Ouzels. On our last visit, we saw Kestrels and Sparrowhawks being mobbed by a gang of magpies. It really is a beautiful place with its 60ft high cliffs and paths leading to the Cleadon hills. It's definitely worth a trip after you've admired the kilns.

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How To Find Marsden Lime Kilns

Where Is Marsden Lime Kilns?

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Lat / Long

54.972577, -1.369105

What three words

flap.proven.cult

Where To Park For Marsden Lime Kilns?

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Lat / Long

54.976647, 54.976647

What three words

engine.vital.spell

Parking is available near Marsden Grotto restaurant. NE34 7BS.

Contributed by Sandra Clemens

I love the great outdoors and have been a National Trust & English Heritage member for years. I also love going off the beaten track and finding places like Sharp's Folly or Rothley Castle which are hidden gems in Northumberland. My favourite recent hike was climbing Red Screes in the Lake District on a whim, not fully grasping how high 776m was. It was still an achievement to conquer a Wainwright walk and I hope to do more one day.

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Sandra Clemens

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