Here at Chain Bridge Forge we have revived the Blacksmith’s craft within its original setting, and created a Living Forge. Both on site and online, we demonstrate the Blacksmithing skills and techniques that would have been used by the Chain Bridge Forge Blacksmiths, and others like them the world over.

Chain Bridge Forge is a living museum, lead by volunteers. The building dates back to the mid 1700’s and has been in continuous use as a Blacksmith workshop. The museum is small independent museum receiving no public funding for running costs. The museum has the following themes.

• Blacksmithing – This theme celebrates Blacksmithing and the buildings history. We have a Blacksmith and we takes on commercial work, demonstrations and taster sessions.
• Local History – The Forge has created an online local history collection which boast nearly 7000 artefacts covering the South Holland area. The website is supported by social media and is predicted to achieve 150,000 views this year. We use this to communicate with our community and receive feedback.
• Innovation – This was started to try and get craft back to schools. HLF funded us to create a virtual reality Blacksmith in conjunction with the Dr John Murray of the University of Lincoln. From this project we were able to set up an Innovation Lab within the Forge which includes 3D Printers/ Scanners and Virtual Reality. We take on paid work for the community.
• Outreach – Finally we have a portable forge which we take out to events providing demonstrations and tasters. We also use our local history collection to do talks and particularly talks for people with dementia providing reminiscence sessions.

Making the Most of Your Visit

• Blacksmith demonstrations

• Taster Days for the budding Blacksmith starting at £5

• Blacksmith-crafted products on sale

• Information about Wheelwrighting and Farriers

• Craft Days

• Education packs with links to the National Curriculum
• Local History
• Chance to buy unique products
• Personal guided tours.

Telephone: 07960 587724

email: chainbridgeforge@gmail.com

Chain Bridge Forge, High St., Spalding, Lincs. PE11 1TX

 

Car: Use post code for SATNAV but take care driving down the High St as it is one way and its easy to pass the Forge without realising it. The land marks .are a zebra crossing and behind a white building on the river bank is Chain Bridge Forge

Opening Times

Winter Nov – Mar – Wednesday & Friday 10am till 2pm, First Sunday in the month 11am till 3pm

Summer Apr – Oct – Wednesday & Friday 10am till 2pm, Every Sunday 11am till 3p

Public Car Parking

There is no designated parking at the site however there is street parking.

Note: The white lines are to direct the traffic not parking restrictionsParking

Blue badge holders should be dropped off outside the Forge

Public Car Parks

The are two public car parks within 5 minutes walk of the Forge 1) Further down the High St towards Spalding Town Centre, 2) Over the River Welland in Castle Sports Centre.

Admission Charges is FREE

Cycling: We have an area on site where you can secure your bicycle.

By train: The nearest train station is Spalding which is approximately 2 miles away.

Accessible Toilets – There are accessible toilets in the Forge.

Refreshments – These are provided by a machine in the Shoeing Shed

Smoking – The Forge is a no smoking site. Smoking is not permitted in any buildings

First Aid – First Aid Facilities are available on site for the use of the visito

Access to the Buildings – There is level access to all the buildings. However there is a steps on exiting the but it is possible to retrace your steps and exit through the entrance.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site. Water bowls are available outside .

Clothing & Footwear – We advise you wear suitable clothing for visiting an outside site and sensible footwear.

Enjoy Your Visit

We hope you find this information useful. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvements please write to or contact The Friends of Chain Bridge Forge

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We have tried to avoid images that I know to be still under copyright protection unless I have gained permission from the identified copyright owner.

There are some images from the latter part of the 1900s for which there is a likely copyright owner but for which we have not been able to identify an owner or have been unable to contact the owner where one is known. If you do own copyright to any of these images and wish them to be removed from the site then please get in touch with proof of ownership and I will immediately remove them.

This site is strictly non-commercial library that serves the purposes of education and entertainment as well as celebrating the diverse historical legacy of South Holland and its surroundings.