National Trust - Finch Foundry - Okehampton

The National Trust - Finch Foundry is a popular tourist attraction and museum located in Sticklepath, Okehampton, EX20 2NW, United Kingdom. The foundry is a historic site that was once a working forge, producing agricultural and mining tools from the 1850s to the 1960s. Today, it is a well-preserved example of a traditional water-powered forge and an important part of the country's industrial heritage.

One of the key features of the Finch Foundry is its water wheel, which is still in working order and used to demonstrate the forging process to visitors. The site also has a museum that tells the story of the foundry and its importance to the local community. Visitors can see a range of exhibits, including original tools, machinery, and historical documents.

The Finch Foundry is wheelchair accessible and has a parking lot for visitors with disabilities. It is recommended to get tickets in advance, as the site can get busy during peak times. The foundry is also a great place for kids, with plenty of opportunities to learn about history and technology in a fun and interactive way.

According to Google My Business, the National Trust - Finch Foundry has received 727 reviews with an average opinion of 4.7/5. Visitors have praised the site for its historical significance, educational value, and friendly staff.

Reviews of National Trust - Finch Foundry

Chloe Baines

5/5

Although this is a small trust site, this was probably one of my favorites. Beautiful little garden and mill. The Tour guide was brilliant, very informative and funny. Important to remember that the building and forge is accessible by guided your only.

Claire Louise

5/5

Really interesting attraction. We had a guided tour around the site from a very knowledgeable gentleman and saw some of the equipment working. Picturesque setting and ample parking.

Mark Titman

5/5

Great tour of finch foundry and its history. See the water wheels that powered it and learn about its owners and uses. Tour guide was very informative and great garden to relax in afterwards.

Brian Turner

5/5

The guided tour was fascinating, in a nice village setting (the tea shop across the road I highly recommended).
Just be aware that the entry to the car park through the arch is narrow and gets more narrow.

Michael James

5/5

This is a National Trust Property and we visited it in Sunny conditions on a Friday. You will get dripped on occasionally. we were on a tour and right at the start our excellent guide addressed the naming 'Elephant in the Room'. Despite the original owners calling it a foundry it was, in fact, a forge.
The tour started with the history of the family who set up the place, their clothing and the products made. We were then shown the whole process of how the forge would have operated. This included a description of how the three water-wheels were powered and close up views of the mechanisms. This involves being under the pool that powers the wheels which isn't entirely waterproof hence the occasional drips.
Moving inside all the mechanisms were described and there were demonstrations of one of the tilt hammers, a drop hammer and a rather nasty looking metal cutter. Unfortunately they weren't able to demonstrate the large (1 ton plus) tilt hammer since apparently it can be heard from 2 miles away and shakes the building alarmingly. The tour finished in the sharpening room.
This was a fascinating visit and well worth the time spent. On a practical note the entrance to the car park is narrow (2m) and it's worth getting a wide turn to make sure you go in straight.

sonya brennan

5/5

They gave a talk about the place and how it works then showed the equipment working. The staff are very knowledgeable. You have to pre-book.

Dr Oliver Sacks

5/5

If memory serves, I've been here four times. The first was a forced visit in the early 80s before the A30 bypassed Sticklepath and we were stuck in traffic (this was even before the NT took it under its wings). I was a bored teen but the waterwheel made a lasting impression. The 2nd visit was with my own kids but they were too small to remember but the tea shop made a bigger impression on me than perhaps it should (it was cold and wet so very inviting). My youngest remembered the 3rd (the hammer was lodged in her mind). Which brings me to today's visit when I suddenly remembered that the bloke giving us the tour was probably the same bloke who's been doing this for the last 30 years and wondered if he remembered return visitors? The cafe's now gone (Covid thing I believe) and the entry passageway is navigable in the Merc only if you tuck the wings in but just as all NT properties are, this one is small and perfectly formed. They need 140k for a new roof which is why everyone should join this venerable organisation so this wonderful forge-not-forge continues to educate, entertain and inform for decades to come.

Samm Mansell

5/5

Amazing place, amazing staff, Roger was our tour guide and he was so informative and full of knowledge about the whole foundry, amazing with kids