The once numerous lime kilns of the Combe Martin Valley are an unusual feature in their non-coastal location. As this agricultural technique became more established from the 16th century onward, limestone and the coal used to fuel the kilns were commonly brought into areas by boat. Lime kilns were therefore most often found in coastal locations. Combe Martin’s kilns were fuelled by timber from the locally abundant woodland and from stone mined from limestone outcrops in the nearby hillsides.