The Fernhurst Furnace Preservation Group
WELCOME TO THE FERNHURST FURNACE
IRON WORKS AND GUN FOUNDRY c1614-1776
(also known as NORTH PARK FURNACE)
Important
Notice
Cancellation of this year’s event (2020) due to Covid 19
Sadly, it has been decided to cancel the open weekend this year. We looked at different options along with measures required to be ‘COVID-secure’. The overheads involved may have been loss-making (for our small fundraising event). Some activities - which contribute so much to the atmosphere, learning and experience for visitors - wouldn’t have been possible with social-distancing. There is also incredible uncertainty about how many visitors would be confident enough to visit.
Open Weekend is held as part of the UK Heritage Open Days scheme
The remains of Fernhurst Furnace are some of the best preserved in the Sussex Weald. The iron industry flourished here in the 17th and 18th centuries using local ore, charcoal and water power. The untouched nature of the site and the rural surrounding belie the production of cast iron, tools and cannon which was effectively the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Even though there are many ‘hammer/furnace’ ponds throughout East and West Sussex, many people know little about the great historical and social importance of this bygone industry.
View Video Footage of the Furnace Site
This video shows:-
- Views of the furnace pond which along with other pen ponds, powered the furnace bellows and the cannon boring tool.
- The public bridle path that runs across the pond bay between the pond and the furnace site.
- The northern pond sluice which controls the flow of water to the bellows water wheel.
- The site of the furnace which shows the location of the furnace, casting pit, wheel-pits and tail race. The site has been recorded and excavated by Chichester District Archaeology Unit and the furnace has been backfilled for protection but the top of the casting pit, wheel-pits and tail race can be clearly seen.
Notes:-
The site has been scheduled by English Heritage under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and is on privately owned land and no metal detecting or other disturbance to the site is allowed.
The large black piping seen in the video is a temporary measure to protect the site from flooding during heavy rain and will be replaced by a new flood prevention scheme close to the southern pond sluice.
Location Map of Furnace Site and Pond
- The Furnace site and Furnace pond is accessible throughout the year by public bridleway that runs along the side of Lower Lodge Candles shown on the Location Map (opens in new window)
Location of Open Weekend event see details on Event page
To find out more about the Fernhurst Furnace, use one of the links below:
- History of the site with major historical events between 1614 – 1776
- Annual Open Weekend event
- Membership details,including recent newsletters and other benefits
- Follow the Fernhurst Furnace on Facebook
