Limekiln Slack extends to its source from the Coast to Coast path in a southerly direction, springing from a field adjoining the Cinder Track. The Slack is a shallow valley depression only about 300m long. A public footpath leads from the stile along the top of the east bank of the Slack. Invisible from the stile is an ancient structure, just around the Slack's bend to the south east.

Much of the time Limekiln Slack entertains only modest amounts of water. During inclement weather this increases substantially and gives the appearance of a mountain beck.

A National Trust Historic Landscape Survey of 2007 states that despite the name of the structure it is certainly not an old limekiln. The survey stated that it may be associated with water power or control. It is built into the east bank of Limekiln Slack, from tooled sandstone blocks. There are three main cells.

To the east of the ruin a steep bank of Limekiln Slack has been revetted in similar stone to the ruinous remains, and would seemingly have been vaulted to meet the building at first floor level. The OS maps showing it as a Limekiln are incorrect.

Most of the ruinous remains are visible in this image taken from the west bank bank of Limekiln Slack. Even experts are baffled by the structure's possible use. There has been some speculation that it may have been built in connection with local jet mining. A path from the south end of Limekiln Slack leads to Bottom House, where there are disused jet pits.

From the west boundary wall of the field you can look north along Limekiln Slack and over the North Sea. The Coast to Coast path passes between the distant farm wall and the cliffs.

Limekiln Slack is cuilverted beneath the Coast to Coast path and almost immediately falls headlong over the sea cliffs to the rocky foreshore below, known as Pursglove Stye. The incoming tide covers most of these formations. The course of the Slack down the cliffs is mostly disguised by gorse and other herbage.

A path known as Sawdons Road, now difficult to see, and more difficult to climb, heads up the cliffs from the foreshore to the top of the Coastal Slope. Climbing the path is (or was) assisted by a rope left in place for those who need it. The path emerges between two solitary gate posts on the main path close to the stile leading to Limekiln Slack. It is understood that parts of the path may have eroded away.

Limekiln Slack begins at a spring slightly to the west of Bottom House, on the far side of the Cinder Track. It is then culverted beneath the Track into the field in the image.

Bottom House is located on the far side of the boundary wall stretching across the top of the image. Limekiln slack springs at the upright posts in the centre of the image and flows down to the Cinder Track, where it is culverted to the field below, i.e. to the north.

Coast to Coast Trail Guide

"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.