Monument record TQ 73 SE 1 - Site of Hawkhurst furnace mill, Furnace Mill Farm, Hawkhurst

Summary

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'.

Location

Grid reference TQ 7743 3130 (point) FCE
Map sheet TQ73SE
County KENT
District TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Civil Parish HAWKHURST, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

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Type and Period (3)

Full Description

[TQ 77333126] An iron furnace at Hawkhurst Furnace Mill was situated at Lat 51o 3' 10' N., Long Oo 31' 50' E. It was mentioned in 1574 and 'must have survived to a late period' [c.1800]. Two 'Furnace Fields', about 300-400 yards away contain a good deal of slag. (1) The only remains are the N and S ends of the pond bay (the `Old Boy' on a 1774 Estate Map by Budgen) and a low embankment bounding the S side of the now dry pond, behind which Budgon shews an overspill leat.When the Mill building at TQ 77433131 was recently demolished, massivelumps of slag were found, probably indicating the site of the furnace. (2)


<1> Wealden Iron 1931 321-3 (E Straker) (OS Card Reference). SKE51298.

<2> F1 ASP 25.10.62 (OS Card Reference). SKE42276.

<3> Field report for monument TQ 73 SE 1 - October, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3712.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: Wealden Iron 1931 321-3 (E Straker).
  • <2> OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 25.10.62.
  • <3>XY Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 73 SE 1 - October, 1962. [Mapped feature: #18302 furnace, ]

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Record last edited

Jun 29 2021 8:14PM