Members of WIRG are invited to a demonstration of smelting local ore in the replica Roman era bloomery furnace at Pippingford Park, off A22 near Nutley, E Sussex.
HOW TO FIND THE WIRG BLOOMERY
The site is in woodland at Pippingford Park. There is no precise post code but the mansion which is 100m further along the track forking right (take the left fork here) is TN22 3HW OS grid Ref is TQ 4387 3072 or the What 3 Words for the parking location alongside the drive is attention.fire.chuckle. The furnace W3W is played.barrel.shiver. See the waymarker on the attached map – top centre on large scale map on right or top centre on left hand map for the furnace location. I will also put out WIRG direction signs from the Parking area.
Travelling from the north:
The site is off the A22 about 6 miles south as you leave East Grinstead (look for the Eastbourne A22 signs in East Grinstead as the junction is a bit complex) – keep going through Forest Row and then Wych Cross (lights). After 1.5 mile look out for a private drive on the left with Pippingford Park at the entrance at the start of a layby on the left. (If you get to a major car park on both sides of the road you have gone too far so turn around).
Follow the drive for about 0.25 mile ignoring side roads, bear left at the fork and park just after a track on the left. Park off the drive and keep the left turning clear as it is used by traffic from a wood yard.
Walk down this track, pass under the power line and after about 15m bear off right into the woods downhill for approx. 100m. You may be able to see smoke from the site as from the track.
Travelling from the south:
Take the A22 north and pass through Nutley and continue about 1.25 miles past a large car park on both sides of the road. Carry on about 0.25mile and you will see the entrance to a layby on the right (the old road). Turn right at the northern end of this layby into the drive marked Pippingford Park.
Follow the drive for about 0.25 mile ignoring side roads, bear left at the fork and park just after a track on the left. Park off the drive and keep the left turning clear as it is used by traffic from a wood yard. (See last para ‘Travelling from North’ for location in woods.)
We will be operating there from early morning until about 5pm with the bloom expected to be drawn around 4pm.
Should the weather forecast be wet please confirm with Tim on 01403 710148 Friday evening as we will have to postpone as using an electric blower will not be safe in wet weather.