TQ 63 SE 1 - Site of Chingly Furnace, near Dunsters Wood, Bewl Water, Goudhurst

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument record TQ 63 SE 1 - Site of Chingly Furnace, near Dunsters Wood, Bewl Water, Goudhurst

Summary

Site of an iron furnace near Dunsters Wood, Chingly. Mentioned in documentary sources in 1556 and 1574. Further sources indicate that the site was derelict in 1588 but was re-leased in the 1590's. Excavations were undertaken at the site between 1968-1972 in advance of construction of Bewl Bridge Reservoir. Before work began a bay 50m long, a dry water system and a working area as well as furnace debris were recorded. During the excavations the dam was found to survive and it was noted that the furnace had been built on a platform cut into the valley side, tapping several springs. Much of the furnace survived and equipment such as the bellows, framing and the water wheel were also recorded. Parts of the structure of the furnace also survived to a height of c.1.2m: this was reportedly the first time a section of a 16th century furnace hearth lining could be recorded. The pottery asssemblage recovered during the course of the excavations confirmed the evidence from documentary sources: the assemblage dated to the mid 16th century and no evidence was found to suggest occupation into the 17th century.

Location

Grid reference	TQ 6850 3272 (point) FCE
Map sheet	TQ63SE
County	KENT
District	TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Civil Parish	GOUDHURST, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

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Type and Period (3)

Full Description

<1> "Wealdon Iron" 1931 276 (E Straker) (OS Card Reference). SKE32698.

<2> F1 CFW 19.02.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42637.

<3> F2 ASP 22.10.69 (OS Card Reference). SKE43147.

<4> Kent Arch Rev 32 Summer 1973 36-8 photo (DW Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE45763.

<5> Post Md Arch 3 1969 208-10 (OS Card Reference). SKE48534.

<6> Post Md Arch 4 1970 186-7 (OS Card Reference). SKE48536.

<7> Post Md Arch 5 1973 217 219 (OS Card Reference). SKE48537.

<8> Post Md Arch 7 1973 115 (OS Card Reference). SKE48538.

<9> Kent Arch Rev 16 May 1969 12-3 (DW Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE45748.

<10> CBA Cal of Excavs 1972 24 (DW Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE38765.

<11> DOE Arch Excavs 1972 88 (DW Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE40794.

<12> Bull Hist Met Gp 6 No 2 1972 31-2 fig (DW Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE38428.

<13> The Bewl Valley Ironworks 1975 Royal His Soc Camden 4th ser (DW Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE50112.

<14> The Iron Ind of the Weald 1985 Index photo figs 992 (H Cleere & D Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE50397.

<15> Sussex Ind Hist 2 1971 33 (J Farrant) (OS Card Reference). SKE49776.

<16> Bull of the Hist Met Gp 5 No 1 1971 10 (D Crossley) (OS Card Reference). SKE38430.

<17> Field report for monument TQ 63 SE 1 - February, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3219.

<18> Field report for monument TQ 63 SE 1 - October, 1969 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3220.

Sources/Archives (18)

<1> SKE32698 OS Card Reference: "Wealdon Iron" 1931 276 (E Straker).
<2> SKE42637 OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 19.02.63.
<3> SKE43147 OS Card Reference: F2 ASP 22.10.69.
<4> SKE45763 OS Card Reference: Kent Arch Rev 32 Summer 1973 36-8 photo (DW Crossley).
<5> SKE48534 OS Card Reference: Post Md Arch 3 1969 208-10.
<6> SKE48536 OS Card Reference: Post Md Arch 4 1970 186-7.
<7> SKE48537 OS Card Reference: Post Md Arch 5 1973 217 219.
<8> SKE48538 OS Card Reference: Post Md Arch 7 1973 115.
<9> SKE45748 OS Card Reference: Kent Arch Rev 16 May 1969 12-3 (DW Crossley).
<10> SKE38765 OS Card Reference: CBA Cal of Excavs 1972 24 (DW Crossley).
<11> SKE40794 OS Card Reference: DOE Arch Excavs 1972 88 (DW Crossley).
<12> SKE38428 OS Card Reference: Bull Hist Met Gp 6 No 2 1972 31-2 fig (DW Crossley).
<13> SKE50112 OS Card Reference: The Bewl Valley Ironworks 1975 Royal His Soc Camden 4th ser (DW Crossley).
<14> SKE50397 OS Card Reference: The Iron Ind of the Weald 1985 Index photo figs 992 (H Cleere & D Crossley).
<15> SKE49776 OS Card Reference: Sussex Ind Hist 2 1971 33 (J Farrant).
<16> SKE38430 OS Card Reference: Bull of the Hist Met Gp 5 No 1 1971 10 (D Crossley).
<17>XY SKE3219 Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 63 SE 1 - February, 1963. [Mapped feature: #11300 furnace, ]
<18> SKE3220 Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 63 SE 1 - October, 1969.

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Intrusive Event: CHINGLEY FURNACE (Ref: EI 14892) (EKE3903)

Record last edited

May 26 2021 5:37PM