Wortley Top Forge is an historic former finery forge and ironworks originally dating back to the seventeenth century, although evidence suggests iron working took place in the vicinity as early as the fourteenth century.
Top Forge is a Water Powered Heavy Iron Forge whose history can be traced back to at least 1640. The site has been used for bloomeries and fineries but it is best known for the Wrought Iron Railway Axles that were hammer-welded between 1840 and the closing of the Forge around 1910.
Following the final abandonment of the site in 1929, various bodies have been involved in securing the site which now forms the heart of an Industrial Museum.
Exhibits at Top Forge include the original water wheels and water-powered drop hammers within the original Forge building which is progressively being restored to 1900s condition. All three Water Wheels can be run subject to the conditions.
An adjoining 1750s building houses a 1900s Machine Shop, that is used for most of the restoration work, displays of medium sized and small stationary steam engines and displays of old machine and hand tools.
For an individual or family trip around the Forge we recommend allowing at least an hour and a half although longer may be required on busy days.
Opening times and Entry Fees
Top Forge is open to the public on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter until the Early November. If Easter is late, earlier opening is likely. The 2018 season will commence on Sunday 18th March.
Opening hours are 11:00am until 5:00 pm.
Admission to the site is £3.00 for Adults, £2.00 for Concessions (O.A.P.s) and 50p for Children (Under 16).
This includes all day parking and a guided tour of the site.
Disabled Access
Any would-be visitor who has special access requirements must remember that the Top Forge is an ancient site .
The majority of the site is surfaced with grass or gravel.
In wet weather the grass is generally soft and even waterlogged in places.
However, in dry weather when the ground is dry, we believe that wheelchair access is possible to most areas. This may however only be with the assistance of our volunteers, as there are several slopes to be traversed on any route around the site.
The main Forge building has level access everywhere except for the area around the Blower Wheel, where steep steps lead to a platform overlooking the wheel.
Access to the Workshop Buildings (Blacksmiths / Foundry / Joiners’ shop) is by a route following the narrow gauge railway. Once inside the Blacksmiths, the floor is acceptably level. However, steep and narrow steps restrict access into the Foundry and Joiners shop.
There is a disabled Toilet.
