Wharfedale Visit To Wortley Top Forge in Thurgoland

Wednesday June 1st saw us meet up at Wortley Top Forge Industrial Museum. The visit had been suggested last year by member Dave Brignell, but due to Covid and the fact we were approaching Autumn it was decided to put it off until this Spring. We went on a Wednesday in order to get the full benefit of guide Gordon Parkinson, a guy with a wealth of knowledge about the place. And what a place it is, a marvellous piece of Industrial Heritage. Records of Iron making here go back to 1621, and over the years the place has evolved, including through different owners as well. The Forge closed around 1913. But had evolved in its later years to making wrought iron axles for the ever expanding railway industry.

One of 2 or 3 waterwheels to power the forges, this one could produce 8hp.

General views of the outside

One of the main Forge arms, you can just see the water wheel on the right

They also had a few outside exhibits, which as Gordon said they had just been given over the years, nothing to do with the forge, or forging, but engineering items deemed worthy of keeping and preserving.

What a place, as I've already said a marvellous piece of Industrial heritage, just fantastic was everyones opinion.

Afterwards we went down the road for a very convivial lunch at the Wortley arms.

Ian Meeson