Early, obscure and questionable cement plants in Britain and Ireland

This website, as explained in the introduction, is limited in scope to plants that have made Portland cement clinker, and that have done so since 1st January 1895. This limitation was imposed in order to ensure that the account was quantitative, and to prevent the project from expanding exponentially and unmanageably. Plants within the defined scope are listed here.

By popular demand, and with great reluctance on my part, I have added the following list of cement plants which do not meet these criteria, or for which the evidence is too slim for inclusion in the main list. This list should include all places labelled "cement works" on OS maps, and is likely to expand to several hundred entries, most of them inconsequential. I have decided not to include ready-mix plants in photo sites such as Geograph, mis-labelled "cement works" by the ill-informed and wikified.

Please contact me with any relevant information, suggestions, additions and corrections.

The following colour codes are used:

Probably Portland
Possibly Portland
Roman Cement
Blue Lias Lime
Other "Natural" Cements
others

Abernant. Parish: Neath Higher, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (SN)(2)8816(2)0633. Iron & brick works, called from the 1890s Brick & Cement Works, disused by WWI. No evidence of PC equipment.

Aberthaw Lime. Parish: Penmark, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (ST)(3)0382(1)6613. Blue Lias lime works, founded 1888 as the Aberthaw Pebble Lime Co Ltd to burn the lias beach pebbles which had previously (and subsequently) been shipped out for burning at other sites. Wound up in 1894, and purchased by the South Wales Portland Cement and Lime Co Ltd. It was sold by them in 1898, with the advice that it could be adapted to make Portland cement. It was acquired by J S Rigby, who called it the Aberthaw Pebble Lime and Cement Co Ltd, and probably tried to make slag/lime cement. Operations ceased aound 1916. By 1925 it was called the Greldaw (Aberthaw) Lime and Cement Works and was up for sale as a going lime-making concern. In 1926 it was sold in dismantled form, with no cement equipment other than two flat-stone mills, probably used for ground lime.

Accrington. Parish: Accrington, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SD)(3)7646(4)2864. On Oswald Street, 1876. No evidence of PC.

Angel Quay. Parish: Harwich, Essex. Grid reference: (TM)(6)2601(2)3284. Roman cement in the 1830s. Thomas Wakefield. No PC made.

Arundel. Parish: Arundel, West Sussex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)0238(1)0671. Roman cement 1830-1887. W. Atfield. Windmill. No PC made.

Ayres Quay. Parish: Sunderland, Co. Durham. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)3880(5)5779. Alternatively Wellington Works, on Wellington Lane, Deptford, owned by Matteson & Chapman, who also owned the longer-lived Deptford plant. Three kilns (say 70 t/week) made PC since there are ballast hills adjacent. Started 1874. Shut early 1890s. Rated at 100 t/week when sold along with Deptford in 1901.

Bankside. Parish: Southwark, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3216(1)8046. Roman cement plant operated by Parker & Wyatt from 1799, mentioned by Francis. A P Thurston (1938) places it at Skin Market and Pond Yard.

Bathside. Parish: Harwich, Essex. Grid reference: (TM)(6)2574(2)3212. Roman cement in 1851-1855. Miall, Marshall & Co. No PC made.

Bathurst. Parish: Bristol, Gloucestershire. Grid reference: (ST)(3)5889(1)7210. Near Bathurst Basin. Operated ~1860-1877 by Fulwood & Lancaster (1865) and by Lankford & Co (1871). Might have made PC: shut 1877.

Bebington. Parish: Lower Bebington, Cheshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)3400(3)8425. Owned by Godfrey J. Aman, originator of Afonwen. Made PC? Closed before 1890.

Belvedere Road, Lambeth. Parish: Lambeth, London. Grid reference: ?(TQ)(5)3067(1)7977. William Atkinson made Roman cement from the 1820s. No PC made.

Berney Arms. Parish: Reedham, Norfolk. Grid reference: (TG)(6)4651(3)0498. Alternatively called Reedham Works. Initially Roman cement from before 1822, PC from 1865: ceased 1880: gone by 1906. Windmill, but had a steam engine as early as 1822.

Birchfield Lane. Parish: Oldbury, Worcestershire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9836(2)8820. Edwin Richards Lime & Cement Works operated in 1884 and continued until WWI. On the Titford arm of the Birmingham Canal. Advertised "ground lime, Portland & Staffordshire cement, etc", but there is no indication of PC equipment, and it probably made the local "Roman" cement.

Bishop Saltings. Parish: Gillingham, Kent. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)8106(1)7073. Undocumented, appears on 1862 map but gone on 1896 and subsequent. Evidently PC since it had wash backs. 3 small kilns. As "Portland Cement Works", it was advertised to be disposed of on a 14 or 21 year lease on 7/4/1863. Perhaps associated with construction of Fort Darnet adjacent, which was completed in 1871.

Blackwall. Parish: Poplar, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3947(1)8079. James Warne Simpson made Roman cement from before 1822. Up for sale in 9/1821 as the Orchard House Roman Cement and Colour Works, making cement with two 4'6" mills and a 14 HP engine, and also grinding pigments with edge runners. No PC made.

Boston. Parish: Boston, Parts of Holland. Grid reference: (TF)(5)3316(3)4476. Maude Foster windmill used for grinding corn: Boston Bone and Cement Mills attached, powered by 16 HP engine, making Roman CSement 1835. One kiln, stone shed and cooperage. No PC made.

Bradford. Parish: Bradford, West Yorkshire. Grid reference: (SE)(4)1?(4)3?. William Greenwood operated 1857, in Manchester Road. Could not find it.

Brettell Lane. Parish: Brierley Hill, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9057(2)8624. "Roman cement" 1840s, by Thomas Smith & Co. No PC made.

Bridgend. Parish: Bridgend, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (SS)(2)9087(1)7981. Blue Lias lime works operated until WWII. Called a cement works by the BGS. 1/4/1907 newspaper article calls it South Wales Portland Cement Works, but no evidence of PC equipment. It was acquired by Penarth in 1907, and continued in its function as a lime plant until 1940, making 220 tons per week of "Aberthaw" lime with 2 shaft kilns.

Bridlington. Parish: Bridlington, East Yorkshire. Grid reference: (TA)(5)1777(4)6675. Frost & Co, making Roman cement 1850s. 5 kilns. No PC made.

Britannia Wharf. Parish: Southampton, Hampshire. Grid reference: (SU)(4)4304(1)1193. Roman cement plant, perhaps pre-1820. Evidently later made PC since there were 5 small slurry backs. There were three 28 ton kilns. Originator not known, but later owned by Hooper & Ashby of Northam, 600 m to the northeast. Closed by 1897 map, but probably much earlier. Unlike Northam, the site had a rail link, and continued in existence as a Blue Circle depot through the 20th century.

Briton Ferry. Parish: Briton Ferry, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (SS)(2)7343(1)9416. The Hydraulic Portland Cement Co. Ltd. established 5/1892, wound up 11/1900. E. T. Ferrier launched this to make slag/lime cement. At this time the term "Portland" was frequently used fraudulently for slag cements - see Coltness.

Brousterland. Parish: East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)6360(6)5475. "Roman cement" from around 1830. No PC made.

Broxburn. Parish: Uphall, West Lothian. Grid reference: (NT)(3)0?(6)7?. "Roman cement" late 1840s, by Robert Park & William Fraser - could not find it. No PC made.

Burgh Castle. Parish: Burgh Castle, East Suffolk. Grid reference: (TG)(6)4736(3)0436. Roman cement from 1859, PC from 1872. 1866-1872 Union Cement & Brick Co. Ltd. Ceased in 1893 (said to have closed in 1912). 5 wet process bottle kilns (120 t/week) and 3 open kilns.

Calderglen. Parish: East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)6589(6)5453. "Roman cement" from the 1830s. No PC made.

Calderwood. Parish: Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)6645(6)5493. William Maxwell made "Roman cement" from the 1830s. No PC made.

Calder Vale. Parish: Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Grid reference: (SE)(4)3428(4)2001. Established 1877 by Saville & Co., taken over around 1890 by Edward Brotherton as an adjunct to his Calder Vale Chemical Works, presumably as a cheap source of CO2 for ammonium carbonate manufacture. Listed as cement manufacturer in local directories, and advertised for a Portland kiln burner and a supply of blue clay. Not shown on the 1907 map.

Caledonian Road. Parish: Islington, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3068(1)8345. Thornhill Wharf on the Regents Canal. Coles, Shadbolt made Roman cement from the 1840s. No PC made.

Camberwell. Parish: Camberwell, London. Grid reference: ?(TQ)(5)3251(1)7758. Thomas & George Sturge made Roman cement from the 1830s. On the Surrey Canal? No PC made.

Cambridge Street. Parish: Plymouth, Devon. Grid reference: (SX)(2)4754(0)5465. On 1856 map. Gone on 1894 map. Ownership? No PC made.

Canton. Parish: Canton, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (ST)(3)1654(1)7616. In 1853, the Cambrian Blue Lias Lime & Cement Works (James Bird & Co) operating 1853. Ceased perhaps 1864, and became the Atlas Foundry.

Castlecaldwell. Parish: Rossbeg, Co. Fermanagh. Grid reference: I 60168604?. Initially (1878) for selenitic cement under Redgrave.

Caterham Junction. Parish: Sanderstead, Surrey. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3150(1)6144. The Caterham Junction Lime Whiting and Cement Works Company Ltd. Incorporated in 1874. Lime only; no PC made.

Cattedown. Parish: Plymouth, Devon. Grid reference: (SX)(2)4903(0)5380. Only limekilns in the limestone quarry 1857. Shown as cement works on maps 1894-1914. Operated by J & T Harvey? Operated by Caldwell & Almond in 1893. Importing Blue Lias from Lyme Regis. Probably natural cement/hydraulic lime.

Charlton. Parish: Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)6281(1)4294. Blue Lias lime works, called cement works by the BGS. No PC.

Charlton Mackrell. Parish: Charlton Mackrell, Somerset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)5319(1)2895. Marked as cement works, appears on 1929 map but not 1903. Owned by Barhams. Could be 2 Schneider kilns, but only a limestone quarry and no rawmills - so hydraulic lime?

Charmouth Harbour. Parish: Charmouth, Dorset. Grid reference: (SY)(3)6645(0)9304. Only made Roman cement. No PC made.

Chester. Parish: Chester, Cheshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)4101(3)6665. aka Union Bridge Works. Probably Roman cement, by Bell & Bowyer, 1840-1860. No PC made.

Church Passage. Parish: Rotherhithe, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3513(1)7983. Operated by Pearson for Roman Cement from 1836: two large kilns, three pairs of stones. Taken by William Aspdin in 1841 as his first London site, before he moved to Upper Ordnance Wharf later that year. When up for sale 4/10/1849 (owned by Wood), it was said to be able to make 15 tons of cement a day, but had only one kiln. It had 50 HP of steam power, and three pairs of grinding stones. Maybe not Portland, although the stock in trade at the time of the sale included "1000 tons of limestone and clay". It also included 3000 bushels of fresh-manufactured Atkinsons (i.e. Roman) cement.

Church Street. Parish: Sculcoates, East Yorkshire. Grid reference: (TA)(5)1021(4)3007. Aka Storrers. Made Roman cement pre-1836-1850s on Church Street. F

Clydebank. Parish: Clydebank, Dunbartonshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)4987(6)6944. Grinding plant - Clyde PC Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Tunnel. 1933-1968 grinding clinker from West Thurrock, Drogheda and Ribblesdale. Second mill added in 1954. No clinker made.

Coaxdon. Parish: Chardstock, Dorset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)3101(1)0047. Dorset Blue Lias Lime & Cement Works. Began ?1890s: still operating 1917. Four small kilns - no PC equipment - making hydraulic lime, ground by water mill. No PC made.

College Street, Ipswich. Parish: St Peters, Ipswich, East Suffolk. Grid reference: (TM)(6)1618(2)4405. George Mason made Roman cement using septaria from Harwich and from the Orwell, prior to buying the Waldringfield plant in 1873.

Cowley Peachey. Parish: Cowley, Middlesex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)0540(1)8124. Roman cement by W. D. Curzon 1885-1886. No PC made. On the Grand Junction Canal.

Darlaston Green. Parish: Darlaston, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9?(2)9?. 1844-1853 operated by Birmingham Coal Company: could not find.

Dartford (Phoenix Weir). Parish: Dartford, Kent. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)5441(1)7451. Roman cement by Matthew Wilks 1830-1841. No PC made. Water mill.

Dawsholm. Parish: New Kilpatrick, Renfrewshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)5570(6)6942. Not on 1892 map - first appears on 1895 map. Glasgow Portland Cement Co. listed in 1902 directory. Up for sale 14/12/1909. No sign of clinker making - maybe making slag/lime cement.

Dove Holes. Parish: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. Grid reference: (SK)(4)0740(3)7837. Founded to make PC by Henry Reid in 1873, shut down by 1890. As well as local stone, used limeworks waste as raw material.

Dudley Port. Parish: Tipton, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9617(2)9128. "for many years" Henry Tyler & Sons, up for sale 1870; 4 "ovens", 3 pairs of stones.

Eagle (Cambridge). Parish: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Grid reference: (TL)(5)4643(2)5794. Might have made natural cement: shut 1887. Bill of sale called it "Jas. Headley's Eagle Foundry, Engineering, Coprolite & Portland Cement Works".

Eagle (Canton). Parish: Canton, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (ST)?. In Lower Grangetown. Probably Roman Cement. No PC. Could not find it.

Earle Street. Parish: Hull, East Yorkshire. Grid reference: (TA)(5)0866(4)2766. G & T Earles original Roman cement plant commenced 1821. Sold 1866 when Earles relocated to Wilmington: site occupied by Neptune Street station. No PC made.

Eclipse. Parish: Little Thurrock, Essex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)6248(1)7810. aka "Globe Cement Works". Attested only in directories, two bills of sale and an non-cement-related accident report. The "Globe Cement, Brick, Whiting & Chalk Company" was in existence before 1878, and was primarily a brick works (as shown on OS) but there was a chalk quarry on the edge of the brickfield. The "cement works" was up for sale at two liquidation sales in May 1889 and October 1896. There were washmills and a kiln among the inventories. No evidence for actual production - maybe a failed experiment.

Evans & Nicholson. Parish: Manchester, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)8389(3)9839. 1841 "Patent Lithic Cement" from chemical waste. Evidently a minor sideline of their drysalting business, and only of prominence because Pasley mentioned it as one of five good "water cements". This location, close to the Exchange, may only have been an office.

Fishersgate. Parish: Southwick, East Sussex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)2559(1)0521. Roman cement plant commenced ? Owner? Windmill. No PC made.

Folkestone. Parish: Folkestone, Kent. Grid reference: (TR)(6)2370(1)3694. Made PC 1872-1891. Described here.

Forest Wood. Parish: Llanharry, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (ST)(3)0171(1)7970. Carboniferous Limestone quarry. On the 1948 revision of the 6" map, the rail loading point is marked "cement works". It was owned by BPCM 1932 to 1939 and supplied sweetener limestone by rail to Penarth.

Forth Banks. Parish: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)2455(5)6357. Shown as "Portland Cement & Concrete Works" on 1894 1:500 plan, called "Messrs Dove's Cement Works" 10/9/1881 newspaper.

Gallowgate. Parish: Glasgow, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)6065(6)6467. Borland & Steven, Market St. Making firebrick and "Roman cement": shown as brick works on the 1860 map. No PC made.

Gartsherrie. Parish: Old Monklands, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)7301(6)6625. Grinding plant. The history was confused by suggestions - incorrect - that clinker was made at one stage. Founded 1925 by William Baird & Co Ltd as an adjunct of their iron works. Baird's merged 1938 with Scottish Steel to form Baird's & Scottish Steel Ltd. Acquired 1967 by Tunnel as Clyde Portland Cement Co Ltd, whereupon their Clydebank plant was closed. Became Castle Cement Ltd 1986. Shut down in 2006. Made Portland and PBFC. No clinker made.

Globe (Greenhithe). Parish: Swanscombe, Kent. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)5856(1)7520. Whiting plant established by John Cubitt Gostling in 1869 at a chalk exporting quarry. Subsequently owned from 1889 by the Globe Portland Cement and Whiting Co. Ltd, from 1899 by the New Globe Cement, Chalk and Whiting Co. Ltd, and from 1911 BPCM. Listed here only because various people have said, without any justification, that it made cement. There is no contemporary evidence for this at all.

Globe (Little Thurrock). see Eclipse.

Gorbals. Parish: Glasgow, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)5903(6)6449. William McLintock, Kirk St (now Oxford St). One of several "Roman cement" works mentioned in 1852 Glasgow directory, but the only one shown on the 1860 map. No PC made.

Great Yarmouth. Parish: ?, Norfolk. Grid reference: (TG)?. Mentioned by Francis: could not find it.

Greaves (Stockton). Parish: Stockton, Warwickshire. Grid reference: (SP)(4)4281(2)6470. Greaves & Kirshaw "Blue Lias cement" 1840-1900. No PC made. As Greaves, Bull & Lakin, the Harbury plant was established and PC was made there.

Greencastle. Parish: Greencastle, Co. Antrim. Grid reference: (J)(3)3445(3)7952. The Belfast Portland Cement Works Company. First in Ulster? In Ireland? 4.7 km north of the city centre, on the Northern Counties Railway, at Greencastle Station, and with a pier on Belfast Lough. White Limestone (chalk) was quarried and ground in Carnmoney townland to the northwest, but Thames chalk might also have been brought in. Started around 1868. Land sold Belfast News-Letter, 29/09/1881, p 1.

Griffins. Parish: Stockton, Warwickshire. Grid reference: (SP)(4)4330(2)6490. "Blue Lias cement" 1841-1910. No PC made.

Grosmont. Parish: Eskdaleside, North Yorkshire. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)828(5)050?. Roman cement from 1813. No PC made. Water mill.

Grove Hill. Parish: Beverley, East Yorkshire. Grid reference: (TA)(5)0540(4)3971. Grove Hill Colour, Paint and Cement Works. Probably Roman cement 1833. No PC made.

Hackney. Parish: Hackney, Middlesex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3344(1)8382. Called "Blue Lias Cement Works", on the Kingland Basin of the Regents Canal, operated in 1828 by Stevens, Page & Co. For sale 1/1833. Called Freens at time of closure in 1865. "Blue Lias cement": Could have burned lias brought from Warwickshire, or may just have been a depot for Warwickshire cement. No PC made.

Hale Cliff. Parish: Hale, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)4505(3)8200. Only evidence its sale advertised in Nantwich Guardian 27/6/96 saying it was "formerly used as cement works". Shown as salt works on early map and stone works on later map. Two reservoirs could have been slurry backs. Two 15 ft kilns.

Halkin. Parish: Holywell Urban, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)1973(3)7580. Owners? Made Roman cement from 1870s. No PC made.

Hammersmith Creek Wharf. Parish: Hammersmith, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)2272(1)7842. Creek Wharf. Millwood & Web made Roman cement 1855. No PC made.

Hammersmith Vestry Wharf. Parish: Hammersmith, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)2319(1)7799. Vestry Wharf. Perhaps Roman cement. Marked as lime & cement works on 1894 map but not 1874. No PC made.

Hanmer. Parish: Whitford, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)1643(3)8030. The Hanmer Portland Cement, Coal and Coke Company, Ltd. Incorporated in 1883, wiith consultancy from Henry Reid. Attached to Hanmer Colliery, which was lost to sea flooding in 1884, and probably no PC was made.

Highfield. Parish: Coseley, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9493(2)9542. On the Birmingham Canal with own basin. 4 small kilns. No indication of PC equipment - probably made natural cement late 1840s, sold 1847. Appears as lime works on 1887 map.

Holborn. Parish: Holborn, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3123(1)8180. Leather Lane and Baldwin's Gardens. Perhaps Roman cement. Wright's cement works operating in the 1840s. No PC made.

Holywell. Parish: Greenfield, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)1866(3)7650. Incorporated in 1879. Roman cement from 1884. No PC made.

Huskisson. Parish: Liverpool, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)3342(3)9359. At Huskisson dock, Everton. Appears as "cement works" on the 1864 map, and as "mortar works" on the 1891 map. 3 small kilns but no sign of PC equipment.

Hythe Quay. Parish: Colchester, Essex. Grid reference: (TM)(6)0156(2)2464. Roman cement: Francis Lewis in 1855, Cobb & Taylor in 1859. No PC made.

Isleworth. Parish: Isleworth, Middlesex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)1660(1)7578. William Ashby and his son George Crowley Ashby made Roman cement 1825-1887 - 3 kilns, also burning gypsum cements and plaster. Shipped to wharf at Blackfriars. East Greenwich plant acquired to make PC.

Keynsham. Parish: Keynsham, Somerset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)6564(1)6791. The Keynsham Blue Lias Lime and Cement Works operating in the 1850s and 1860s. Blue Lias lime and cement. No PC made. A water mill on the River Chew.

Kidwelly. Parish: Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. Grid reference: (SN)(2)4020(2)0638. Dinas Silica Works, marked as Brick & Cement Works on OS 2nd Edition- refractory cement.

Knothill. Parish: Wetheral, Cumberland. Grid reference: (NY)(3)4799(5)4998. Knothill Plaster & Cement Works, owned by Joseph Robinson & Co., Ltd. Made gypsum-based products, including Keenes and Parian cements. No PC made.

Landport. Parish: Portsmouth, Hampshire. Grid reference: (SU)(4)6432(1)0041. Roman cement? J C Stephenson, in PO directory and on 1867/74 maps. No PC.

Langloan. Parish: Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)7232(6)6439. Langloan Iron Works was one of several in Scotland that invested in cement plant around 1910-1920. The iron works closed in 1919, and unlike Coltness, Gartsherrie and Wishaw, the cement plant died with it. Two rotary kilns, perhaps similar to Coltness Kiln 1. The Langloan Iron, Cement & Chemical Co. Ltd. was registered 14/11/1937 to restart the plant, but dissolved 11/10/1939. Never operated. The kilns may have gone to another plant - e.g. Wishaw.

Leicester. Parish: Leicester, Leicestershire. Grid reference: (SK)(4)5901(3)0555. Roman cement from 1841, at the Belgrave Gate basin of the Leicester Canal - possibly Whitby cement stone via the Trent.

Leigh-on-Sea. Parish: , Essex. Grid reference: (TQ)?. Roman cement plant mentioned by Francis and many others: could not find it.

Limehouse. Parish: Stepney, London. Grid reference: (TQ)?. Roman cement plant operated by Mornay & Co., mentioned by Francis: could not find it.

Lingrow. Parish: Hinderwell, North Yorkshire. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)8094(5)1667. aka Victoria Iron and Cement Works, primarily an iron ore mine, 1856-65, making Roman cement as a sideline.

Liswerry. Parish: Christchurch, Monmouthshire. Grid reference: (ST)(3)3389(1)8766. Presumably that referred to as Lady Hill by Francis p 216, saying it made "cement" from the early 1860s. The OS map calls it Aberthaw Lime Works, although nowhere near Aberthaw. Blue Lias lime and cement. Woodward (1892) said they made Portland cement. 1914: Kelly's says Lias lime: portland cement is offered, but also white lime, obviously bought in: John Davies & Co., since 1872.

Locksbrook. Parish: Weston, Somerset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)7271(1)6496. Cement & Blue Lias Lime Works: proprietor Elizabeth Fryer in directories 1889 and 1898. White and Blue Lias quarries. Three 11 ft kilns and two 8 ft kilns. Blue Lias lime and cement. No PC made.

Lockyers Quay. Parish: Plymouth, Devon. Grid reference: (SX)(2)4867(0)5408. Not on 1856 map. Shown on 1894 map as "concrete, cement & manure works". Ownership? Perhaps only a depot. No PC made.

Loftus. Parish: Loftus, North Yorkshire. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)727(5)200?. Roman cement from 1813. No PC made.

Madeley Wood. Parish: Madeley, Shropshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)7003(3)0409. Operated by the Madeley Wood Co, circa 1870-1914, probably made "Roman" cement: two kilns: no PC equipment, but claimed to sell PC. Water mill.

Maes-y-coed. Parish: Caerwys, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)1281(3)7148. Made PC using local "tufa". Closed before 1890. Water mill.

Maidstone. Parish: Maidstone, Kent. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)7596(1)5647. Lime and Roman Cement plant. Three slurry backs and drying flats added during to 1850s. Two 13' kilns (17 tons). Thomas Poolly in 1855, then owned by Read and Sharp: sold in 1859 to William J Brand & sons. No references after 1860. No raw material on site: chalk from Jubilee Bank 5773015982?

Medlock. Parish: Manchester, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)83?(3)97?. J. Lewtas advertised "Improved Portland and Roman cement", "only manufacturer in Manchester" 1856-1859; Commercial St, Knott Mill - could not find.

Millbank. Parish: Westminster, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3023(1)7915. 46, Millbank Street, Roman cement plant operated by Arthur White 1832, but shown on OS maps as late as 1896 - demolished was Millbank was widened.

Millbank Wharf. Parish: Southampton, Hampshire. Grid reference: (SU)(4)4324(1)1233. Roman cement plant, perhaps pre-1820. Evidently later made PC since there were 5 small slurry backs. Number of kilns? Originator not known, but later owned by Thomas Christopher Elliott. Adjacent to the Northam plant. Marked as cement works well into the 20th century, but probably ceased to manufacture before 1880.

Millwall (Cubitts Town). Parish: Poplar, London. Grid reference: (TQ)?. Roman cement plant mentioned by Francis: could not find it.

Millwall (Winkleys Wharf). Parish: Poplar, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3712(1)7887. Roman cement from 1810, run by James Grellier until 1840, then by others. No PC made.

Monkwearmouth. Parish: Monkwearmouth, Co. Durham. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)3912(5)5793. Wearmouth Cement Co. - one or two kilns making PC using adjacent ballast hill: about 1880 to about 1890.

Morledge. Parish: Derby, Derbyshire. Grid reference: (SK)(4)3554(3)3618. Robert Brookhouse made "Roman cement" 1830s to 1870s. No PC made. Water mill.

Mulgrave. Parish: Lythe, North Yorkshire. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)8613(5)1251. William Atkinson commenced Roman cement manufacture in 1811, and the plant continued in operation until 1932 - the last producer of Roman cement. No PC made. Water mill.

Nant Mill. Parish: Prestatyn, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)0733(3)8311. Alternatively Prestatyn Cement Works. A water mill. Probably Roman cement. However, there is calcareous tufa at this site, so PC may have been attempted.

Nine Elms (London). Parish: Battersea, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3012(1)7790. Francis made Roman cement 1810-1868, when the site was sold to the railway. They then moved to Cliffe.

Newport. Parish: Newport, Shropshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)7?(3)1?. Huxley & Buckley made Roman cement around 1840, at "Newport Mill" or "Mill Works" (could not find). Perhaps West Midlands natural cement stone.

Nottingham. Parish: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. Grid reference: (SK)(4)5830(3)3944. Nottingham Roman Cement Company around 1840, at Hermitage Works. On the Nottingham canal basin - possibly Whitby cement stone via the Trent.

Ordnance Mill. Parish: Harwich, Essex. Grid reference: (TM)(6)2614(2)3273. Frost made Roman cement from 1818. Various others took over - William Allder, then Cleaver & Watson - until it closed in the late 1850s. No PC made.

Orwell Mills. Parish: St Peters, Ipswich, East Suffolk. Grid reference: (TM)(6)1678(2)4390. Originally George Tovell, then George Farrow & Co 1860s, Harpham & Son to 1869-1874. Destroyed by fire 28/4/1874. Mentioned as Roman and Portland cement manufacturers. No indication of PC equipment. Also said to have works at Bramford, Norwich and Gt Yarmouth. Chalk quarry at Bramford (612880,248170).

Oulton. Parish: Oulton, East Suffolk. Grid reference: (TM)(6)5?(2)9?. John Green made Roman cement in the late 1850s. Could not find it. No PC made.

Ouseburn. Parish: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)2607(5)6500. Portland Cement plant shown on the 1858 map but not 1896. William Aspdin was said to have entered partnership with William Jackson trading as Aspdin & Co in 1856 after his partnership with Ord became insolvent. The plant was said to be "in the Ouseburn district". The plant was only 1.1 km north of the Gateshead plant. The kiln bank was 64'×20' and so had three kilns, total 80 t/week. It had its own Boulder Clay quarry, and ballst hills were nearby. Ran perhaps for as little as one year.

Peak. Parish: Staintondale, North Yorkshire. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)9733(5)0217. Roman cement from 1813. No PC made.

Pedlar's Acre. Parish: Lambeth, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)3065(1)7977. Roman cement plant operated by Parker & Wyatt from 1793-99, mentioned by Francis.

Pimlico (Elizabeth Bridge Wharf). Parish: Westminster, London. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)2869(1)7869. On the Grosvenor Canal. Samuel & Charles Cleaver: Roman cement from 1823. No PC made.

Pomphlett. Parish: Plymstock, Devon. Grid reference: (SX)(2)5018(0)5390. Named on 1856 map. No longer named on subsequent maps, although the buildings remained in place until WWII. Ownership? No PC made. Perhaps burned Lias stone from Lyme.

Portchester. Parish: Portchester, Hampshire. Grid reference: (SU)(4)6081(1)0486. Portsmouth Harbour Portland Cement Works. Company Ltd launched 1882, struck off 1906. Proposed to use Portsdown chalk and harbour mud, backed by I C Johnson: never built. Further proposals along the same lines were made in 1889, 1920 and 1926, all to no effect. A 1938 proposal for a modern plant at Paulsgrove (SU)(4)6361(1)0653 failed to get planning consent.

Porthkerry. Parish: Porthkerry, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (ST)(3)0752(1)6596. Blue Lias lime and cement. It was sometimes called Porthkerry Lime & Cement Works, but Francis says it was Aberthaw Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd, founded by E. T. Ferrier in 1900. Ferrier made slag cement at Briton Ferry.

Prestatyn. Parish: Prestatyn, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)0688(3)8336. The Atlas Portland Cement Company commenced 1875, adjacent to the Prestatyn Alkali Works, perhaps using alkali waste. Probably only lasted a year or two.

Prudhoe Street. Parish: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)2482(5)6462. Shown as "Cement Works" on 1894 1:500 plan.

Russell Street. Parish: Plymouth, Devon. Grid reference: (SX)(2)4766(0)5469. Devon & Cornwall Cement Works. Roman cement made by John Frean & Co 1853, J & T Harvey 1861. Gone on 1894 map. No PC made.

Rutherglen. Parish: Rutherglen, Lanarkshire. Grid reference: (NS)(2)6071(6)6195. Thomas McGhie & Co: marked Cement Works on OS: several kilns operating in 1898, but no evidence of PC equipment. Products include plaster and terra alba, and could be selenitic lime producer.

Salford. Parish: Salford, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)8353(3)9885. On Gravel Lane and King Street. Patent cement works, owned Yates: sold 24/5/1849. No sign of PC equipment.

Sandon. Parish: Liverpool, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)3334(3)9301. At Sandon dock, Everton. Appears as "cement works" on the 1864 map, and as "mortar mills" on the 1891 map. 2 small kilns but no sign of PC equipment.

Seacombe. Parish: Poulton cum Seacombe, Cheshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)3199(3)9038. From 1855 made PC using sugar refinery lime. Intermittent operation under variously: George Cantrell 1855: Mersey PC Co 1867: Liverpool Cement Co 1870: Seacombe PC Co 1875: Britannia London PC Co Ltd 1878: Widnes Alkali Co 1885. Henry Reid was involved, making cement from soap waste in the mid 1860s. Under the Widnes Alkali regime, J. S. Rigby obtained his patent for "PC" from slag, before setting up at Ditton. Closed early 1890s.

Sheerness. Parish: Sheerness, Kent. Grid reference: (TQ)?. Owned by the Navy Board, made Roman cement from 1810. No PC made.

Shoreham (town). Parish: New Shoreham, West Sussex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)2159(1)0499. Clayton & Parker made Roman cement from the 1830s. No PC made.

Shotley. Parish: Shotley, East Suffolk. Grid reference: (TM)(6)2349(2)3412. Operated by Edward Gibbons 1874-1898 making Roman Cement using septaria dredged from the Stour. Stour Brick and Cement Works.

Snatchwood. Parish: Abersychan, Monmouthshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)2699(2)0297. In operation in 1848. Water mill. Made "Roman cement". Probably ceased 1863.

Spalding. Parish: Spalding, Parts of Holland. Grid reference: (TF)(5)2461(3)2201. Cheaven and Shuttleworth operating the Steam Cement Works in London Road around 1858. Probably Roman Cement. No PC.

Stormy. Parish: Tythegston Higher, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (SS)(2)8530(1)8166. Blue Lias lime works, called cement works by the BGS. Subsequently made white lime for the steel industry until recently. No PC.

Strand. Parish: Swansea, Glamorgan. Grid reference: (SS)(2)9497(1)9233. Alternatively Argyle Cement Works. Probably Roman Cement to 1890. No PC. The plant was up for sale as a going concern in 1890, making cement, plaster, whiting and lime. It had three kilns, and a washmill, but the latter was probably for whiting. Ballast chalk was possibly available.

Stratford. Parish: West Ham, Essex. Grid reference: (TQ)?. Roman cement plant operated by James Turner (1846 Turner & Montague), mentioned by Francis: could not find it. There were a number of lime/soap/chemical works around Bow Bridge.

Strood Dock. Parish: Frindsbury Intra, Kent. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)7432(1)6944. Lark, Fletcher & Co (later Lark & White) made PC 1858-1879. Initially 5 small kilns (80 t/w) then around 1867 3 larger kilns (80 t/w). The mill building burned down in 1879 and was not rebuilt.

Sunderland. Parish: Sunderland, Co. Durham. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)4070(5)5769. Cohn & Co started making PC early 1860s and perhaps shut down in 1887, when the mill house was burned down. 4 kilns. Previously and subsequently a pottery.

Sutton Road. Parish: Plymouth, Devon. Grid reference: (SX)(2)4870(0)5420. Shown on maps from 1857 to 1907. Owned by Rowe. No evidence of PC equipment or raw material - probably made Roman cement. No PC made.

Thomas's. Parish: Sculcoates, East Yorkshire. Grid reference: (TA)(5)1024(4)2992. William Thomas made Roman cement 1840s-1850s on Church Street, Sculcoats.

Tipton. Parish: Tipton, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9502(2)9273. aka Factory Bridge, South Staffordshire. On the Birmingham Canal with own basin, originally part of Kier's soap works, operated about 1840. Two pairs of millstones, brick-kilns to burn stone.

Toll End. Parish: Tipton, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)9731(2)9309. aka Leabrook, Parishes', Pottersbrook, Tipton. On the Birmingham Canal with own basin. Hackett Street, Toll End. At least 8 small kilns. No indication of PC equipment - probably made natural cement. Appears only on 1887 map, but mentioned as making "Tickell's Patent Roman Cement" operated by H Devy & Co in adverts 1821-1825.

Totternhoe. Parish: Totternhoe, Bedfordshire. Grid reference: (SP)(4)9800(2)2244. Called Lime & Cement Works in some directories - never on OS. No PC made.

Tranmere. Parish: Tranmere, Cheshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)3266(3)8687. Roman cement plant up for sale 5/1870 - gone after that.

Town Wharf, Grays. Parish: Grays, Essex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)6143(1)7742. Marked as "cement factory" on a 1908 plan, but not on earlier or later maps. No indication of production equipment - may have been a depot operated by Goldsmiths.

Uxbridge. Parish: Uxbridge, Middlesex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)0500(1)8322. Roman cement plant operated by Hardy & Doughty, 1855.

Vauxhall (Liverpool). Parish: Liverpool, Lancashire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)3429(3)9130. In a soap and alkali production area. No sign of PC equipment.

Wakefield (Kirkgate). Parish: Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Grid reference: (SE)(4)3378(4)2034. Joseph Aspdin made his original product (non-PC) here from 1825 to 1838, when the site was acquired for the railway. The operation then relocated to the Pear Tree Close site (see below).

Wakefield (Pear Tree Close). Parish: Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Grid reference: (SE)(4)3387(4)2032. Joseph Aspdin & Son moved here from Kirkgate (see above) in 1838. William Aspdin managed the plant until his departure in 1841, and it may be that the principles of making "true" Portland cement were developed here. The railway absorbed this site in 1848 and the business was transferred to the Ings Road site.

Washford. Parish: Old Cleeve, Somerset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)0476(1)4109. Washford Manure Lime & Cement Works shown on 1888 & 1904 maps, but was already in operation in 1862. Blue Lias district. Lease included mineral rights on Blue Anchor beach. Water mill.

Watchet Warren. Parish: Watchet, Somerset. Grid reference: (ST)(3)0629(1)4332. Warren Cement Works; Symons & Co offering "hydraulic cement", "Portland cement" and Blue Lias Lime in 1860. Used Lias stone from Warren Bay beach. No PC made.

Waverton. Parish: Waverton, Cheshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)4557(3)6425. Operated 1854-1870: called Roman cement works but this is not feasible. On the Shropshire Union Canal. No PC made.

West Drayton. Parish: Yiewsley, Middlesex. Grid reference: (TQ)(5)0625(1)8023. On the Otter Dock of the Grand Junction Canal and close to GWR West Drayton station. Not present in 1878; sold 1885; up for sale 1892 following bankruptcy of William Fleming Robertson. Up for sale again in 1903 as "Portland Cement Works" of the Great Western Cement Co. Ltd, capacity 60 t/week. Company dissolved June 1904. Had washmills, slurry pumps etc so possibly Portland. Had eight pairs of stones. No indication of raw materials - perhaps down the canal from Harefield, but probably never operated.

West Hartlepool. Parish: West Hartlepool, Co. Durham. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)5109(5)3337. Casebourne made cement - perhaps both Roman and Portland cement - from 1862 to 1866, when the operation was re-located to the Cliff House site 2 km to the south.

Wilmcote. Parish: Aston Cantlow, Warwickshire. Grid reference: (SP)(4)1666(2)5869. Greaves & Kirshaw "Blue Lias cement" 1840-1900. No PC made. There were two others separately marked as cement works on the map, at 4161125870 and at 4158625906, but this site was on the canal. As Greaves, Bull & Lakin, the Harbury plant was established and PC was made there.

Windmill. Parish: Bilston, Staffordshire. Grid reference: (SO)(3)5320(2)6740. The Windmill Cement Company (Ltd from 1909) made "Roman" cement from Pennine Middle Coal Measures argillaceous limestone from around 1869 to 1914. Francis says that it is probable that it was "making Portland cement towards the end of the 19th century". It is not mentioned in this context by any other source, and the plant site, which did not develop during its long existence, never had any equipment suggestive of Portland making. Windmill used for grinding.

Wreath Quay. Parish: Sunderland, Co. Durham. Grid reference: (NZ)(4)3912(5)5776. Wreath Quay Cement Company Ltd. Incorporated in 1886. Located near a ballast hill, but no evidence of any physical plant.

Woodbridge. Parish: Woodbridge, East Suffolk. Grid reference: (TM)(6)2780(2)4917. Lockwood & Pulham made Roman cement and hydraulic lime 1822-1870. No PC made. Water mill and windmill.

Ysceifiog. Parish: Ysceifiog, Flintshire. Grid reference: (SJ)(3)1533(3)7054. Pre-dated the nearby Afonwen, commenced 1860s? Owners? Possibly made PC using local "tufa". Closed before 1895. Water mill.