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Project Description

This Project aims to interpret two historically important sites within the Derwentside area. The sites are:

Bantling lime kilns

which are situated between Annfield Plain and Leadgate, where the Coast-to-Coast cycle route and A693 meet. There were originally six kilns at the site, one has completely collapsed, two are in danger of doing so and the remaining three are in a more stable condition. This project will restore two of the kilns to minimise future erosion. There will also be access improvements, the establishment of a viewing area and interpretation of the site. This area will act as a hub for the C2C cycle route, engaging visiting cyclists with the area's industrial heritage.

Longovicium Roman Fort and surrounding town (vicus)

near Lanchester, on Dere Street - the Roman road between York and the Firth of Forth. This Project will:

• Form an official Friends of the Fort group
• Produce new village map and a portable display
• Produce an interpretive leaflet / guide book for the site
• Produce an education pack for schools
• Develop and maintain a Longovicium website
• Design an appropriate guided walk linking Roman sites in and around Lanchester and produce a self-guided walk leaflet.

Length of Project

Start date: June 2004
End date: May 2008

Publications

To download the self-guided walks leaflets developed by this project see Publications.

Link to Longovicium website

See the Longovicium web pages hosted on Durham County Council's website.

Project Area

Bantling Lime Kilns between Annfield Plain and Leadgate & Longovicium Roman Fort near Lanchester.

Further work after the project has completed

The Friends of the Fort continue to meet to discuss potential future Roman based project in and around Lanchester, linking to the Longovicium site. The resources produced through the project will continue to be distributed by the Friends of the Fort.

Additional funding is being sought to enable further work to be undertaken at the Bantling Lime kilns, focusing on restoration of a third kiln, incorporating heritage skills training.

Contact Details

For more information about the Gaunless Valley Visitor Centre contact:
Grace Wallace
Groundwork West Durham and Darlington
Grosvenor House
29 Market Place
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 7NP

Tel: 01207 524 803
Email: grace.wallace@groundwork.org.uk