Darkhill Ironworks 2025

The terraces of stone walls are all that remain of the important ironworks where David and Robert Mushet carried out secret experiments with iron and steel during the 19th century. The complex of tramways, brickworks and ironworks lie on the terraces above one another on the hillside. Darkhill Ironworks, and the neighbouring Titanic Steelworks, were where the world's first tungsten steel was produced.

Contacts

Operator: Forest of Dean Buildings Preservation Trust

Address: Parkend Road Coleford Gloucester Gloucestershire GL16 7LX

Website: View website

Open Days & Times

Access is only allowed around the site but NOT within it. Visit website for more details.

Travel

By Rail: Lydney / 8 miles

Facilities

Parking
Part disabled access

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Today Darkhill Ironworks (sometimes written Dark Hill) and the Titanic Steelworks are scheduled archaeological sites and are well worth visiting.

David's son, Robert, built the Titanic Steelworks on the same site and used the foundry to experiment in steel making in large quantities. He made the first steel alloys and the first steel railway line. When his railway lines were laid in Derby Station in 1857 they lasted for 17 years rather than the 3-5 months normally expected from earlier rails.