Rock ovens were used to bake limestone to make lime products such as mortar for buildings and lime to 'sweeten' the fields. After many successive crops, the soil becomes more acidic which reduces growth and final yields. Adding lime, an alkaline, improves the fecundity. Wherever limestone outcrops in Cumbria you can usually find the remains of lime kilns. Most were fairly small scale kilns used by local farmers for their immediate needs. Some larger kilns produced an excess for 'exporting' to other parts.
A small lane connects Scales with Baycliff and crosses an area of limestone outcrops and crags. A natural place to establish a kiln to utilise the local raw material. This kiln is in quite good repair and indeed, makes an impressive sight as you approach. Unusual curved corners give a softer shape than the more common squared corners. Within the arched stoke hole is now an amazing micro-climate with masses of small ferns growing in the damp and shade.
The cache can be found on the road-side and is not in the structure of the kiln or any dry-stone walls. Great place to visit on a bike or parking can be found E of the cache on the grass verge by the quarry entrance - don't block the gate. Lovely views on the way down to Baycliff.
