Limekilns set to steal the limelight 

Two limekilns, one recently restored at Minninglow and one as yet unrestored at Butterton in the Peak District National Park, will be open to the public on four days in September as part of the Heritage Open Days 2023 scheme.

People will be able to visit the stone-built industrial heritage structures free of charge on the open days and find out why they were built and what they were used for.

The visits have been organised by the Peak District National Park’s cultural heritage team. The National Park’s cultural heritage volunteers will be on hand to help visitors discover the stories behind the limekilns.

Catherine Parker Heath, community and conservation archaeologist for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “We’re passionate about preserving our industrial heritage, and this event is all about how showing people how important these limekilns were in the past and how preserving them helps reveal the story of the landscape.

“Our knowledgeable cultural heritage volunteers will be on hand to tell you all about the sites and share fascinating insights into the challenges faced in conserving these historical treasures. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about the history and significance of these structures and others like them.”

Minninglow limekiln will be open on Friday 8 September and Saturday 16 September. The restoration work at Minninglow limekiln has been funded through the Defra programme Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) and facilitated by the landowners at Minninglow Grange.

Parking is at Minninglow Car Park, Mouldridge Lane, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2PN. There is a 15 minute walk along the High Peak Trail to reach the site – head in the direction of tree-topped Minninglow Hill. There is wheelchair and pushchair access along the High Peak Trail but unfortunately not down to the limekiln itself, although people will be able to see the limekiln from the trail. The limekiln is located on a steep slope in a field next to the High Peak Trail.

Butterton limekiln will be open on Saturday 9 September and Friday 15 September. People will see an unrestored limekiln before its restoration begins and discover insights into the challenges faced in conserving these historical treasures. The restoration will be supported by the Peak District National Park Authority through the FiPL programme.

Parking is in Butterton Village by the church or in the car park at the Village Hall/Community Centre. Access to the site is a 10-minute walk from the village and requires people to walk down Pothooks Lane over the ford, and continue until they see the volunteers. The limekiln is located in a field and is not wheelchair accessible, however, if the weather is dry, pushchair access may be possible.

There are tours at each site at 10am, 11.30am and 1.30pm on each open day.

Tickets for the free tours at Minninglow limekiln and Butterton limekiln are available via the Heritage Open Days website and Eventbrite, but people can also drop-in on the day.

To find out about more Peak District limekilns that have been restored with support from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, visit www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/limekilns