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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Modern Apartment, Castle View Rochester, England

Modern Apartment, Castle View Rochester, England

2 out of 5
50A Delce Road, Rochester, England
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Stay at this residence in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and balconies. Popular attractions Medway Little Theatre and Restoration House are located ...
Stunning 5-bed House in Ashford

Stunning 5-bed House in Ashford

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Ashford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Ashford Museum and Cineworld Ashford are located nearby.
3bed Maidstone Stay - Wifi, Parking, London Access

3bed Maidstone Stay - Wifi, Parking, London Access

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Maidstone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Leeds Castle and Hazlitt Theatre are located nearby.
Aylesford-house-sleeps 2 & 1 Infant-parking-garden

Aylesford-house-sleeps 2 & 1 Infant-parking-garden

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Aylesford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions The Friars and Kent Life are located nearby.
Victorian Cottage Writers Retreat

Victorian Cottage Writers Retreat

3.5 out of 5
2 Churchyard, Ashford, England
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Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Ashford. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Ashford Museum and Hollywood Bowl are located ...
Charming, dog Friendly Countryside Retreat

Charming, dog Friendly Countryside Retreat

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Sittingbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions The Hawking Centre and St John the Baptist, Doddington ...
Maidstone - Sleeps 6 - Parking - Garden - 96ws

Maidstone - Sleeps 6 - Parking - Garden - 96ws

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Maidstone. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Leeds Castle and Hazlitt Theatre are located ...
Home in Medway 3bedroom Free Sports Free Parking

Home in Medway 3bedroom Free Sports Free Parking

2 out of 5
17 Cameron Close, Chatham, England
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Stay at this residence in Chatham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Bauvill Stadium and Capstone Farm Country Park are located ...
Stunning 2-bed House in Chatham

Stunning 2-bed House in Chatham

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Chatham. Enjoy free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Chatham Naval Memorial and Central Theatre are located nearby.
Stylish 3-bed House With Free Parking & Wifi

Stylish 3-bed House With Free Parking & Wifi

2 out of 5
11 Curzon Road, Medway, Chatham, England
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Stay at this residence in Chatham. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Bauvill Stadium and Central Theatre are located ...
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House-sleeps7-parking-garden-sportschannels

2 out of 5
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Stay at this residence in Maidstone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Leeds Castle and Hazlitt Theatre are located nearby.
Elegant Retreat: Classic Style and Modern Comfort

Elegant Retreat: Classic Style and Modern Comfort

2 out of 5
23a Eridge Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
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Stay at this residence in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi and a garden. Popular attractions Spa Valley Railway and Pantiles are located nearby.
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