Wortley Top Forge

The oldest surviving heavy iron forge in the world

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  • The Wortley site
    • Wortley through the ages
      • Wortley People in History
      • The Early Years at Wortley Forges
      • The Story of Iron and Steel
    • Our buildings
      • The Forge
        • 3 wheels
        • 2 hammers
        • Air pump
      • The workshops
      • The cottages
        • 1900 kitchen
        • Wash house
        • Privy
    • Our natural environment
      • Picnic areas
      • Nature Trail
    • Photos
      • Engines at the forge
      • Machines at the forge
    • Our collection
      • Our machines
      • Our engines
    • Archive – newsletters
    • Archive – the forge
    • Archive – iron and steel
  • About us
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  • Railway
    • Narrow gauge
    • 400mm
    • Wortley Top Forge Model Engineers
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The site

Wortley Top Forge is a Water Powered Iron Forge whose history can be traced back to 1640. The site has been used for various processes but it is best known for the Wrought Iron Railway Axles that were produced between 1840 and production stopping around 1910.

Following the final abandonment of the site in 1929, various bodies have been involved in securing the site which now forms the heart of an Industrial Museum.

Exhibits at Top Forge include the original water wheels and water powered drop hammers within the original Forge building that is progressively being restored to 1900s condition. All three Water Wheels can be run subject to conditions.

Adjoining buildings house a 1920s Machine Shop, that is used for most of the restoration work, displays of medium sized and small stationary steam and displays of old machine and hand tools.

Wortley Top Forge is administered by the South Yorkshire Trades Historical Trust. Registered charity no 1093233 · Log in