Horsmonden

Travel Guide

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
Photo by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
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
Photo by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Footpath junction in Sprivers Garden land The High Weald Landscape Trail (long distance path) follows the National Trust House drive, then it turns right towards Brenchley Road. A footpath also heads straight on towards Horsmonden Road, near Burrs Hill.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Kissing Gate in Sprivers Garden Woodland This gate is leads from the National Trust land towards Marle Place Road. The High Weald Landscape Trail heads right along the Garden's drive towards Hazel Street from Horsmonden.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Oasthanger, Lamberhurst Road, Horsmonden, Kent
Photo by Oast House Archive (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns

Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns

3 out of 5
Talbot Lane Gravesend England
Stay at this hotel in Gravesend. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
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Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns
ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

3 out of 5
Bearsted Rd Maidstone England
Stay at this hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
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ORIDA Maidstone Hotel
Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Brands Hatch, J3 Sevenoaks England
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Sevenoaks. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
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Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa
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House - Sleeps 4 - Garden - Parking

House - Sleeps 4 - Garden - Parking

3.5 out of 5
Ashford England
Stay at this residence in Ashford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Ashford Golf Club and Cineworld Ashford are located ...
House - Sleeps 4 - Garden - Parking
The Lower Bell

The Lower Bell

3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road Aylesford England
Stay at this apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business center, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and Kent ...
The Lower Bell
Green Cottages

Green Cottages

3 out of 5
5-6 St Patricks Row Sittingbourne England
Book a stay at this family-friendly cottage in Sittingbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Kent Science Park and Sittingbourne ...
Green Cottages
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Popular places to visit

Penshurst Place and Gardens which includes a fountain and a garden

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Find out about the history of Penshurst with a stop at Penshurst Place and Gardens. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Penshurst Place and Gardens
Hop Farm Family Park which includes land animals and zoo animals

Hop Farm Family Park

Bring your family to Hop Farm Family Park and have a fun-filled day at this amusement park in East Peckham. Check out the spas and top-notch restaurants in this quaint area.

Hop Farm Family Park
Tranquil river boat trip

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle is just one of the places to see in Tonbridge, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Tonbridge Castle
Dog walking and cycling park with lakes, rivers, woods, fields and a great little cafe that sells homemade burgers

Haysden Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at Haysden Country Park, a lovely green space in Tonbridge. Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Haysden Country Park

Balfour Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Balfour Winery during your travels to Staplehurst.

Balfour Winery

All Saints' Tudeley

Learn about the local history of Tudeley when you take a trip to All Saints' Tudeley. Check out the spas and lively bars in this quaint area.

All Saints' Tudeley

Things to do

The size and power of 'Rex' the Stellar's Sea Eagle has to be seen to be believed

Admission Pass to Eagle Heights in Kent

$20
per adult
Admission Pass to Eagle Heights in Kent
Leeds Castle Admission Tickets

Leeds Castle Admission - Ultimate Explorer Tickets

$59
per adult
Leeds Castle Admission - Ultimate Explorer Tickets
Leeds Castle, Canterbury & Dover: Private Car Tour from London

Leeds Castle, Canterbury & Dover: Private Car Tour from London

$2,640
per traveler
Leeds Castle, Canterbury & Dover: Private Car Tour from London
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Cities near Horsmonden

St. Laurence church - VI - Hawkhurst - UK

Cranbrook

Tonbridge showing heritage elements, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Tonbridge

Pantiles

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Parish Church of St Mary, Goudhurst
Photo by Julian P Guffogg (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Goudhurst