The Cottages
The domestic buildings were occupied by the Ironmaster from around 1650 until the Grange was built across the road in the 1820’s. Originally a two up, two down detached stone cottage typical of the region, it was extended around 1700 to provide a larger modern parlour and a service wing was added soon after, the upstairs of which housed a wooden panelled office or counting house for the Ironmaster.
The house was subsequently converted to worker’s cottages No.s 6 and 7 with one end of the house being incorporated into the Forge by Thomas Andrews. The cottages, largely unmodernised, were occupied until the 1960’s.
Cottage No.6 – now contains a small museum and a Victorian Kitchen which has a Yorkshire Range (made in Barnsley). Outside hangs the tin bath ready for bath night. Upstairs the panelled room, in which can be seen part of one of the original wooden mullioned windows, is currently under restoration.
Cottage No.7 – This living room of this cottage had been the Ironmaster’s parlour and is currently being used as an exhibition room. Attached is the 1900’s wash-house with a working copper (used on special open days).