Between the 9th and 11th of September 2025 the gun-casting pit adjacent to the remains of North Park Furnace was excavated to determine its method of construction, investigate its possible contents, and compare it with other casting pits that had previously been excavated at other gun-casting iron furnaces in the Weald, at Maynards Gate, Batsford, Scarlets and Pippingford. The excavation was carried out under the direction of George Anelay, of West Sussex Archaeology.
Gun casting at North Park is thought to have commenced in the late-1730s during the occupation of John Butler, and to have continued until 1774 when Joseph Wright and Thomas Prickett, who had operated the works since 1769, exercised their right to conclude their lease. Thus, the casting pit is the most recent of its type to be excavated.
