The Fernhurst Furnace Preservation Group

WELCOME TO THE FERNHURST FURNACE
IRON WORKS AND GUN FOUNDRY c1560-1788

(also known as NORTH PARK FURNACE)

Registered Charity no: 1119894



Open Weekend - The Fernhurst Furnace Preservation Group have reluctantly decided not to have an Open Weekend Event in 2023.
The next Open Weekend Event will now be held on the 14th and 15th September 2024.
See Events Page for Details.

Latest Newsletter- Issue 22 July 2022 (opens in new window)
For previous Newsletters go to Newsletter/AGM page

The Furnace Repair Project 2022 is now Complete
See Repair Project Update No.07 - May 2022 (opens in new window)
For previous updates go to Newsletters/AGM page

See also Repair Project in Pictures Following its completion

Help  support Fernhurst Furnace Preservation Group Ltd. - With Amazon Smile
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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:-

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

Location of Open Weekend event see details on Event page

To find out more about the Fernhurst Furnace, use one of the links below: