Finch Foundry is a water-powered edge-tool forge at Sticklepath, near Okehampton on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, England. The National Trust, which runs it as a visitor site, describes it as the last working water-powered forge in England and as a doorway to Dartmoor's industrial past. At its peak the works produced around 400 tools a day, one of the most successful edge tool industries in the South West, and the enterprising Finch family ran it across several generations. Visitors take a guided tour of the gallery, launder, forge and carpenter's workshop and see the waterwheels that powered massive hammers, giant shears and a huge sharpening stone, with demonstrations of the machinery working. The entrance is a narrow tunnel through the surrounding buildings, and the site shows how an ordinary industrial complex was organised around its waterpower.
Facts
Classification
Standing Status Connections
Has Building Type
Source British Listed Buildings: Finch Foundry and Foundry House Sticklepath listing
Uses Element
Source British Listed Buildings: Finch Foundry and Foundry House Sticklepath listing
Source British Listed Buildings: Finch Foundry and Foundry House Sticklepath listing
Source British Listed Buildings: Finch Foundry and Foundry House Sticklepath listing
Sources
1. Finch Foundry (National Trust)
Opening times
Entry by guided tour only.
In Group: Factories, Mills, Breweries and Works, About Finch Foundry
one of the South West's most successful edge tool industries
View the SourceBritish Listed Buildings: Finch Foundry and Foundry House Sticklepath listing
British Listed BuildingsUses Element: Stone, Listing text Exterior
Stone rubble walls with some cob. Gable ended slate roof.
Uses Element: Cob, Listing text Exterior
Stone rubble walls with some cob. Gable ended slate roof.
Uses Element: Slate, Listing text Exterior
Stone rubble walls with some cob. Gable ended slate roof.
Has Building Type: Factory, Listing text Plan
the eastern building was taken over by William Finch to become an edge tool works
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