Norwich Chalk Mines: Newmarket Road Quarry, Lime Kiln and Mines: March 2011

[DJ OSKA]

I have decided to start this topic so that we can show our progress with exploring the various artefacts around this site.

After an interesting and disorientating night-explore with Simonix and his sidekick, I decided to return to this site during daylight with well-known Norfolk Urban Explorer, Man Of 2 Worlds.

Over the years, Norwich was mined for chalk and flint.
The flint was used in the construction of some of Norwich's finest buildings,
with the chalk being used in building mortar.
However, the chalk was also burnt into lime for use in agriculture.
This burning process was done in a furnace known as a Lime Kiln.

A fine example of such furnace remains at this site today.
From the surface, we were greeted with this sight:


With the Man Of 2 Worlds getting very excited, we descended down the stairs into the darkness beyond...


The afternoon light was just right for this shot of the entrance doorway


Then we started playing with ambient lighting... (this was FUN)


Basically, what we have here is a doughnut-shaped circular tunnel surrounding a central chimney with 3 fireplaces.




2 lovely relics left behind are a classic wheelbarrow and vintage dustbin


More to come soon.
Other explorers, please feel free to add your photos!

[simonix]

Nice one fella, I like your door way shot, heres mine


The bin gets everywhere!

[MJS]

Interesting stuff fellas. Keep it coming

[simonix]

Heres a teaser for you Chris, view from the other side!


Cool.

[DJ OSKA]

Ahhh yes- the iron cage...
Nice angle shot looking up at it!

[manof2worlds]

Thought I would add some of my pics from the visit with DJ Oska - and yes, I did get very excited as I walked down the stairs - I love this sort of stuff :-)

HDR warning!!!

1. Entrance down into the kiln.


Lime Kiln, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. by manof2worlds, on Flickr

2. Self-indulgent lighting shizzle - but shows the curves nicely :-)


Lime Kiln, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. by manof2worlds, on Flickr

3. Guess who got some light packs that day - this shot shows the in-filled second entrance directly opposite the one we used.


Lime Kiln, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. by manof2worlds, on Flickr

4. Black and white view back up the entrance stairway.


Lime Kiln, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. by manof2worlds, on Flickr

5. Fireplace, entrance and curves - all in glorious HDR ;-)


Lime Kiln, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. by manof2worlds, on Flickr

6. Looking from the entrance in black and white.


Lime Kiln, Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. by manof2worlds, on Flickr

[simonix]

Like your lit up shot in the Kiln, looks like a skull :-)

[DJ OSKA]

Once inside, this potential "labyrinth" of tunnels becomes a bit of a dud, in terms of depth.
There is a large, deep main tunnel, and 1 remaining offshoot which leads to a few tunnel entrances which are backfilled with sand. It appears that these particular mines are used for protecting bats, as several Norfolk-bat-bricks can be seen installed in the walls and roof.

Nevertheless. Neil and I had hours of fun playing with the light-packs once again and achieved some nice shots between us. Here are mine:

Looking in towards the main tunnel


The remaining offshoot tunnel


The "Stage"- a steep high ledge later used for a performance by the "Urbexing Stylophone Player"

[simonix]

Heres a cracker from inside! A bit of light messing.

[DJ OSKA]

After a month or 2, I've finally got the episode completed.

ENJOY :-D