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Monument record TQ 54 SW 1 - Site of Barden furnace, Barden, Bidborough

Summary

The remains of a pond bay, now part of a road are thought to be the site of an iron furnace dating from c.1577. The first mention of a large sized furnace at the site is in 1653, but a record of 1577 is supected to be its first reference. It was definitely out of use by 1841 when the pond was water filled. A sluice gate at the site may be of later date and this is thought to be the vicinity in which the furnace was located.

Location

Grid reference	TQ 5487 4249 (point) FCE
Map sheet	TQ54SW
County	KENT
District	TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Civil Parish	BIDBOROUGH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

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Type and Period (3)

Full Description

[TQ 54994245] An iron furnace at Barden was situated at Lat. 51 deg 9' 35' N., Lat. O deg 13' 0' E., 3/4 mile N.W. by N. of Speldhurst Church [deduced - Straker's co-ords. are incorrect]. The first mention of this good sized, probably rather late furnace is in 1653, but a record of 1577 may refer to it. The pond was in water in 1841. The bay has formed the basis of the modern road. A sluice gate may be of later date. (1) The probable site of the furnace is just below the pond bay in the vicinity of the sluice gate at TQ 54874249. There are no traces of early buildings left. The pond is now dry. (2)

<1> Wealden Iron 1931 219 (E Straker) (OS Card Reference). SKE51286.

<2> F1 ASP 28.01.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42322.

<3> Field report for monument TQ 54 SW 1 - January, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2735.

Sources/Archives (3)

<1> SKE51286 OS Card Reference: Wealden Iron 1931 219 (E Straker).
<2> SKE42322 OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 28.01.63.
<3>XY SKE2735 Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 54 SW 1 - January, 1963. [Mapped feature: #19972 furnace, ]