Description and History of Site:-
The gunpowder industry in the South lakes is well recorded but the production sites for grindstones are not. There are two quarries within the Plantation and Gillbirks Quarry (SD45232 88133) is the most likely source of the single abandoned grindstone at the first-stated NGR. The quarries worked Carboniferous Limestone for the roughouts. The sole survivor lies at the quarry track junction, propped up on timber supports, and a negative lies adjacent showing that the grindstone was roughed out on this spot rather than in the quarry. The stone's diameter is 2.14m, thickness is 550mm and the square eye is 330x330mm.

The quarry was worked in a series of shallow benches and many post-1800 plug and feather marks can be seen in the faces.

Further Reading and References:-
Johnson, David S. 'Millstone and grindstone production in the Pennines and North-west England. A historical and archaeological survey.' Industrial Archaeology Review, 44 (2), 2022, pp. 120-32.

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Key Words :- a former production site for edge-runner grindstones

Viewing the Site :- Open Access woodland with clear tracks

Address :- The Howe, Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Grid Ref :- SD 45360 88385
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.288157 , Long -2.840862
Local Authority :- South Lakeland District Council
Pre 1974 County :- Westmorland
Site Status :- National Nature Reserve NNR
Site Condition :- Earthworks only
Site Dates :- possibly 1798 - 1935?
Record Date :- 7 December 2022

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © David Johnson