ft in diameter and weighed 60 tons – reputedly the largest in Britain at that time. A second furnace was also erected in 1827. Despite the enormous effort expended in creating the supply of water, it proved inadequate and in 1828 a 90 horsepower steam engine and engine house were constructed alongside the works. A year later, a second pond at Cannop was also built to boost the water supply. By 1835 the site had grown to include workers’ cottages, casting houses, blacksmith’s and carpenter’s sheds, a counting house, offices, a beerhouse, and many other ancillary buildings. In 1849 a second steam engine was added. Business was booming and in 1871 a third furnace was also added; a ‘hot blast’ design which was the very latest technology at that time. Just four years later, however, the iron trade went into recession and the ironworks closed in 1877. Most of the works were demolished between 1890 and 1908, but the engine house and some ancillary buildings survived to become the country’s first Forester Training School in 1910. During the Second World War, it was used by the American army as a barracks. In 1971 it was sold to Avon County Council and became the Dean Field Studies centre, now known as the Deanfield Outdoor Centre. In 1984 it was afforded Grade II Listed Building protection. The building is not open to the public, but can be viewed from the roadside. See also Cinderford Ironworks Whitecliff Ironworks Darkhill Ironworks References Further reading External links The Dean Field Studies Centre Buildings and structures demolished in 1890 Ironworks and steelworks in England Industrial history of England Forest of Dean Blast furnaces in England