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Darkhill Ironworks can be found on the outskirts of Coleford. The terraces of stone walls are all that remain of the important ironworks where David and Robert Mushet carried out secret experiments with iron and steel during the 19th century.
The complex of tramway, brickworks and ironworks lie on a series of terraces above one another on the hillside. Darkhill Ironworks, and the neighbouring Titanic Steelworks, are internationally important industrial remains associated with the development of the iron and steel industries and were where the world's first tungsten steel was produced.
Building was begun in 1811 and the brickworks were established some time before 1818. A number of accidents occurred at the ironworks; most notably in August 1846 when a steam engine exploded causing five deaths and seven injuries. After David's death in 1847, the furnaces at the smithy in the brickworks were used by Robert for experimental work on new metals to discover their properties. The site was abandoned, probably around 1862 following the building of the Severn and Wye Valley railway embankment across the south east corner of the ironworks in 1874, the site lay undisturbed until partial excavation in 1977.
Walk 8 in our '12 Easy Walks' download is around Darkhill, which is between Coleford and Parkend.
David's son, Robert, built the Titanic Steelworks on the same site and used the foundry to experiment in steel making in large quantities. He made the first steel alloys and the first steel railway line. When his railway lines were laid in Derby Station in 1857 they lasted for 17 years rather than the 3-5 months normally expected from earlier rails.
Today Darkhill Ironworks and the Titanic Steelworks are scheduled archaeological sites, and although much of the area is overgrown, it is well worth visiting.
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Booking & Payment Details
- Free Entry
Parking
- Free Parking
Property Facilities
- Dogs Accepted
Opening Times
* Always open although the car park is closed over night. No charge.
