About Fernhurst Furnace
The remains of Fernhurst Furnace, also known as North Park Furnace, are some of the best preserved in the Sussex Weald.
Fernhurst Furnace Description
The remains of Fernhurst Furnace, also known as North Park 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.
Reviews
A persistently foggy day in Fernhurst, the fog created a wonderful canvas for this Mini World drone photo today at the Furnace pond.
What a difference a few nights of rain makes, the pond now in full flood.
Thankfully a large percentage of the water is still being carried over - rather than through - the archeology. It's weather like this which presents the biggest threat to maintaining the remains of the Furnace site - we are attempting to preserve this fascinating place, you can help us by volunteering or donating (details on the website http://www.fernhurstfurnace.co.uk).
A selection of photos from the Fernhurst Furnace Open Weekend on 15 & 16 September 2018
Each year The Sealed Knot Society Official provide wonderful demonstrations of a Civil War skirmish, it's educational and often amusing with both crowd and participants enjoying themselves alike. Here we have members of Sir Marmaduke Rawdons Regiment of Foot doing their thing.
As the sun sets over the furnace pond we’d like to thank everyone who visited this weekend - your donations and support will help us keep this wonderful place intact for future generations to visit.
A huge thank you to all our volunteers and demonstrators who made the entire weekend doable.
More photos and videos to follow during the week.
Open Weekend always offers a lot of fun and adventures, it also helps to spread the word about our historically significant archeology. We’re raising funds to preserve this site for future generations; it was wonderful so many people took the time to see it today.
Things got quite warm along the track today.
Face painting is going well... 🤹🏼♀️🎨
HawkingAbout have just finished today’s first display... they are in the arena again from 12:30.
Our event is nestled in the amazing South Downs, a perfect setting for the Civil War skirmish at 15:30 today.
To kick off the morning we have:
11:00 - Tour of furnace site 11:15 - Falconry display 11:30 - Sealed Knot parade and demonstrations
... In addition we have blacksmithing, charcoal making, wood work, armour making, knitting, archery and many other activities to explore all day long.
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Good morning - we were blessed with sunshine and a great number of visitors yesterday, looking forward to the same today from 10:30 (day two of the 2018 open weekend).
Thank you to everyone who made day one of 2018's open weekend such a success.
The Sealed Knot Society Official provided a great demonstration today, this is a brief peice of the action from the musket weilding members. More tomorrow!
Overheard at the beer tent: “I’m only here because I cannot resist a man with a musket dear”.
There is one guided walk each day which follows the water ways which once powered our furnace site; it’s a two-hour stroll finishing at the 12th Century Shulbrede Priory. Tomorrow’s guided walk will start at 13:15 from the dam.