An iron furnace at Hawkhurst Furnace Mill was mentioned in a documentary reference of 1574. It is thought to have been in use until approximately the early 19th century. Large qunatities of iron slag have been found in two fields known as 'Furnace Fields', some 300m from the site. All that remains of the furnace today is part of the pond bay. The mill building was recently demolished, and massive lumps of slag were found, probably indicating the site of the furnace. The pond Bay was marked on a map from 1774 as the 'Old Boy'.