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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Derwentcote Steel Furnace

Derwentcote Steel Furnace

From £0.00
Forge Lane
Hamsterley
County Durham
NE17 7RS

Tel: +44 0191 269 1205

Email

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Add Derwentcote Steel Furnace to your Itinerary

Derwentcote Steel Furnace
  • Derwentcote Steel Furnace
  • Derwentcote Steel Furnace
  • Derwentcote Steel Furnace

About

Built in the 1720s, Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace in Britain. It produced high grade steel for springs and cutting tools.

For visitors with access needs, The grounds are very uneven, and not suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users.

Guided Tours
A free guided walk programme is run by a team of dedicated and knowledgeable Volunteer Guides. Key features of the tours include a handling collection, a tour the interior of the conical furnace building, which has been previously closed to the public, and a tour of the archaeological remains of various iron/steel works – including a crucible furnace, worker’s cottages and water wheel. 

All tours start at 11am and last approx. 45 minutes, with time at the end for visitors to independently enjoy the exhibition on display inside the furnace building and chat with guides. Pre-booking is no longer required.

The meeting point for all tours is the furnace building. Please wear sturdy footwear as the woodland can be muddy. Our next tours will be:
- Friday 19th May
- Friday 9th June
- Saturday 1st July
- Sunday 9th July
- Monday 24th July
- Saturday 5th August
- Sunday 20th August
Please note: In very inclement weather the tour may not go ahead and if the site is icy, then the tour may be shortened slightly. 

Become an English Heritage member and enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historical sites with free entry for up to six children. Join today.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
All TypesFree

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4 of 5 stars
5 reviews
    • Excellent
      1
    • Very Good
      4
    • Average
      0
    • Poor
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    • Terrible
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    Recent Reviews:

    • Allen H
      Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
      on a walk
      4 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 28th August 2019
      A very old furnace with an insight into how we lived and made iron back when I was young. Very interesting place Read full review
    • john e
      Gateshead, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Solo travel
      Not much has changed
      4 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 24th August 2021
      I passd by while on a short walk in the area, and took time to renew my impressions of the site. With a bit of imagination you can understand why it was built there, and why it fell into disuse... Read full review
    • Seabhag
      Argyll and Bute, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Informative and enjoyable guided tour
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 31st August 2021
      The guide, John, was welcoming and informative. The walk was informal but educational, John answered lots of questions and our small group had a lovely hour. The information boards were good, but... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2023

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Guide Dogs Permitted

    Catering

    • Picnic Site

    Parking & Transport

    • Car Parking Offsite - There is a car park on the opposite side of the A694. The car park is signposted. Please take care when crossing the road.

    Provider Facilities

    • Dogs Accepted - Dogs allowed on leads.

    Tours and Demonstrations

    • Educational Visits Accepted
    • Guided Tours Available for Groups

    Access Information

    Opening Times

    2023 (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)

    * Open any reasonable daylight hours. There is no access to the interior, access can be arranged via our guided tour programme.

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/englishheritage

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

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