Moira Furnace
Introduction
Operated by Moira Furnace Museum Trust. An impressive iron-making blast furnace built by the Earl of Moira in 1804. Fully restored and houses a new industrial history exhibition. The site also features lime kilns, a woodland, a group of small workshops and a section of the restored Ashby Canal
Events throughout the year. Education programme for pre-booked groups. Tow paths and cycle routes around the site and nearby country park. Tea Room and craft workshops. Admission charges only apply to the furnace museum and canal trips.
Boat trips along the canal, through the Moira Lock to Conkers and back takes 1hr 15mins.
Educational visits, free parking, caravan bookings, coach parties and group bookings welcome. Birthday party packages available. (link to party leaflet).
Free access to woodland, country park, canal towpath and children's play area. Towpath connects to Conkers
Disabled visitors: Access to and around attraction, specially adapted toilets and designated parking area.
A Brief History
The Furnace Timeline
Moira Furnace may be a survivor of the industrial revolution because it had only a short working life.
It all started in 1789 when Francis Rawdon Hastings, later the 2nd Earl of Moira, inherited land in the Ashby Woulds. His inheritance was a rural backwater used for hunting, fishing and grazing. Recognising the potential of the area's coal and iron ore deposits he soon began a programme of development. For more detail on the history of the furnace follow this link.
Location & Contact Details
Furnace Lane, Moira, Swadlincote, Derby DE12 6AT
Tel: 01283 224667 or 07976 637858
Charges
Museum Guided Tour 
Adult £2
Conc/Child £1
Family (2+3) £6
Non Guided Tour
Adult £1
Conc/Child £50p
Group bookings for boat ride and museum visit
Per person £5
Boat Trip Only
Adult £3.50
Child £2.50
Family (2+2) £10
Under 3s free
Museum Opening Times
1st May - 30th September
Tuesday - Sunday 10am-4pm
1st October - 31st April
Tuesday - Sunday 11.00am-3pm
Open Bank holidays, Closed Christmas and New Year period.
Open access
Woodland, country park, canal towpath and children's play area. Towpath connects to Conkers
Disabled visitors:
Access to and around attraction, specially adapted toilets and designated parking area.
Exhibition & Displays
Let the story of this unique building unfold. Learn how it was built to make iron, why it was a failure and why it remarkably survived. Find out what it was like to live in the furnace at the turn of the century.
Stand at the throat of the Furnace and see where the raw materials were tiped-in. Look closely - you will see where the bricks melted as the temperature overheated to 100 celcuis.
Discover the importance of the canal, tramways and railways that criss cross the area. From the chimney top take in the scenery. You are surrounded by the developing National Forest, but you will see how the close priximity of four collieries developed this industrial landsape.
Education Visits
The Moira Furnace site offers a wealth of activities for schools and helps meet National Curriculum requirements in:
KS1 & 2 History, Science, Geography, Literacy and Numeracy.
For more information on educational visits follow this link.
Last updated: Wed 21st July, 2010 @ 14:34
