Photo "Furnace Pond: Horsmonden's 17th century iron foundry The north-east end of Furnace Pond. The head of water from this 16 acre lake once powered the giant hammer of John Browne's forge, the flames of which could be "seen about the country at 10 miles distance". With the abundance of iron ore in the local clay and of wood to fuel the blast furnace, Horsmonden in 1613 had 200 men employed in its iron foundry under John Browne. Such was Browne's skill in casting and proving guns that he was later granted a monopoly as "Gunfounder for the King's Service". In 1638 Charles I himself was here to watch a gun being cast. Browne also supplied guns to the Dutch, at that time the greatest sea power. Then, on the arrival of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, he was quick to switch his allegiance and was casting guns for Parliament until his death in 1651. When this former King's Gunfounder was buried, an impressive alabaster and black marble monument was erected to him in Horsmonden parish church 917323. But it stands there no longer. A 19th century Rector, an ardent Royalist, could not abide to see a memorial in his church to a man who had turned his coat for Cromwell, and removed it! See other snippets from the surprising history of Horsmonden at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2_ZstVBZSfIC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA99#v=onepage&q=&f=true There is little now to show for this once great industry apart from such local names as Flightshot Farm TQ6840, Furnace Pond, and the old Gun Inn, and several chalybeate springs. See also Gallery at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/the_history_of_horsmonden_8738" by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0) / Cropped from original

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Photo by D Gore (CC BY-SA)

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Chestnut Meadow Country Park

Chestnut Meadow Country Park

4 out of 5
Ninfield Road Bexhill-on-Sea England
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Stay at this lodge in Bexhill-on-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Highwoods Golf Club and Egerton Park are located nearby.
Nikoda Lodge

Nikoda Lodge

2 out of 5
143 Marlborough Road Gillingham England
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Stay at this lodge in Gillingham. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Chatham Naval Memorial and Nucleus Arts are ...
Woods Meadow Glamping

Woods Meadow Glamping

3.5 out of 5
Hawley Dr West Malling England
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Book a stay at this family-friendly lodge in West Malling. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium bedding. Popular attractions West Malling Golf Club and ...
Chestnut Meadow Country Park

Chestnut Meadow Country Park

Bexhill-on-sea Tn39 5jg, Uk Bexhill-on-Sea ENG
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Stay at this lodge in Bexhill-on-Sea. Popular attractions Highwoods Golf Club and Egerton Park are located nearby.
Woodlands Park

Woodlands Park

4 out of 5
Woodlands Park, Westfield Lane St Leonards-On-Sea England
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Stay at this lodge in St Leonards-On-Sea. Enjoy free parking, balconies or patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Carr Taylor Vineyard and Sedlescombe ...
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3 out of 5
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ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

3 out of 5
Bearsted Rd Maidstone England
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