Darkhill Ironworks

Darkhill Ironworks, near Coleford is an impressive industrial archaeological site. It was here that an important process in the making of steel was invented which was later incorporated into the Bessemer process. The need for strong track for the new railways was the driving force behind the Mushet family's experimentation with the process leading to the making of steel, which then replaced cast iron for many other uses. For more information see Darkhill Ironworks in Wikipedia

The track in the photos was originally the tramway for the workings and runs along the back of the site. The site is now well preserved, much of the ivy has been removed and also the walls have been capped to prevent weather damage.

The sign gives the height of the site as 166mts above sea level.

A further matter of interest were the wild boar trotter prints in the mud near the road. There was evidence in many places of wild boar rooting in the banks but these were the only really clear trotter prints that we saw. We were glad not to meet the boar themselves!