Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Ashburnham Furnace
Hob Uid: 411962
Location : East Sussex Rother Ashburnham, Penhurst
Grid Ref : TQ6853817083
Summary : The site of iron furnace in operation from 1549-1813. The site consists of a furnace (possibly two), a water system with a leat and dam and a slag heap. Some small 18th century buildings remain on the site.
More information : (TQ 68481708) Ashburnham Furnace (NAT)(1) Connected with Ashburnham Forge (See TQ 61 NE 4). Above the furnace there is still water in 2 ponds and the oak floodgates remain. There is a great accumulation of slag although many tons have been removed. There are also to be seen many fragments of the moulds and considerable masonry especially the wheel-pit. It must have been established soon after 1549 and continued in use until 1813.(2) (Description of Ashburnham iron works, and plan.)(3) The site of the furnace is at TQ 68481705 adjacent to the wheelpit which is still extant. It was supplied by a leat from the pond-bay, now dry. A similar wheel-pit below the bay at TQ 68571711 may indicate the site of a second furnace. The pond-bay extends for about 250.0m and is 4.0m maximum height. The oak sluice gates are now destroyed and the pond is dry. A number of 18th c ancilliary buildings, now dwellings, survive. Surveyed at 1:2500.(4) One of the most important Wealden sites, with good documentation. Requires grant aid for the repair of the structures. (5) Recorded by NRIM. (6)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1961
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Wealden Iron 1931 364-370 (E Straker)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Sx Co Mag 7 1933 81-5 plan photos. (B H Lucas)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 NKB 23-JUN-71
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : MPP Iron and Steel Industries: STEP 3, Site Assessments
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Recorded by FW Gregory, Dec-1964, Record No.WS108
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : 1549
Monument End Date : 1549
Monument Start Date : 1549
Monument Type : Iron Furnace, Pond Bay, Slag Heap, Leat, Dam
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Earthwork, Structure

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Unified Designation System UID
External Cross Reference Number : 1002219
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ES 387
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External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : NRI01
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 61 NE 1
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 1960-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1971-06-23
End Date : 1971-06-23

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1977-01-01
End Date : 1977-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Ashburnham Furnace