Villages by the Sea: Season 4, Episode 5

4 - 5: Solva

Archaeologist Ben Robinson discovers the impressive lime kilns in Solva, this picturesque, 1800s Welsh port is famous for producing quicklime, a vital ingredient in both our agriculture and building industry.

The kilns here are well preserved and contributed to making the soil in farmers' fields more alkaline – to increase crop yield at a time when the nation's population was growing. A pretty spot now but Ben learns of how this industry would have been a tough life for the locals.