Welcome to the blacksmith’s forge

A vital workshop that has supported the mill and local community for centuries. Here, you’ll see the traditional tools of the trade: sturdy anvils, heavy hammers, foot-operated bellows, and a coal-fired furnace that burns hot enough to shape iron and steel.

The blacksmith’s role was crucial, forging iron tyres for cart wheels built by the wheelwright and repairing or creating the many metal parts needed to keep the mill running smoothly. Beyond the mill, the smithy provided farm tools, household implements, and hardware, making it an essential hub in rural life.

This forge layout, built in the early 16th century, remains remarkably unchanged, offering a window into the demanding physical skill and craftsmanship required in this ancient profession. Take a moment to imagine the rhythmic pounding of the hammer and the fiery glow of the furnace that shaped life here.