Moira Furnace was built in 1804 by the Earl of Moira. It was a coke-fuelled, steam-engine blown blast furnace for the smelting of iron from local iron ore, with an attached foundry for the manufacture of cast-iron goods.
The furnace was supplied with iron ore, coke, and limestone delivered by means of the adjacent Ashby Canal. The finished iron products would be dispatched by the same means. The furnace was built low down which made it easier to feed raw materials by taking them up the ramped bridge over the canal and feeding them into the top.
Although much thought and innovation went into the design it was a commercial failure. It was used intermittently until 1811 but it experienced continual problems. Bad design, bad construction, bad raw materials, and bad management were all to blame.
The furnace now has another life as a country park, museum, shop and home to numerous leisure activities including canal trips, fishing and the starting point of several walks around the National Forest.
John's Postcards 
Beautiful photographs you picked a lovely day for your trip out. I love England and all it’s seasons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Elaine. A bit of sunshine always helps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting, John – what talent!👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍 Thank you.
LikeLike
That looks like a very interesting place to visit. I enjoyed hearing the history. Don’t you wish you had a time machine and could spend a just little time observing our past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue. Life and working conditions must have been pretty hard back then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating story John. Love that kind of social history. Your images are so good as well. Really enjoyed your post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Don. Yes an interesting place and probably the only building of its kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos, John! What an attractive place to visit with interesting history. What a disappointment it must have been to find the furnace was a commercial failure.
LikeLiked by 1 person