Horsmonden

Travel Guide

Furnace Pond: Horsmonden's 17th century iron foundry The north-east end of Furnace Pond. The head of water from this 16 acre lake once powered the giant hammer of John Browne's forge, the flames of which could be "seen about the country at 10 miles distance". With the abundance of iron ore in the local clay and of wood to fuel the blast furnace, Horsmonden in 1613 had 200 men employed in its iron foundry under John Browne. Such was Browne's skill in casting and proving guns that he was later granted a monopoly as "Gunfounder for the King's Service". In 1638 Charles I himself was here to watch a gun being cast. Browne also supplied guns to the Dutch, at that time the greatest sea power. Then, on the arrival of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, he was quick to switch his allegiance and was casting guns for Parliament until his death in 1651. When this former King's Gunfounder was buried, an impressive alabaster and black marble monument was erected to him in Horsmonden parish church 917323. But it stands there no longer. A 19th century Rector, an ardent Royalist, could not abide to see a memorial in his church to a man who had turned his coat for Cromwell, and removed it! See other snippets from the surprising history of Horsmonden at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2_ZstVBZSfIC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA99#v=onepage&q=&f=true There is little now to show for this once great industry apart from such local names as Flightshot Farm TQ6840, Furnace Pond, and the old Gun Inn, and several chalybeate springs. See also Gallery at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/the_history_of_horsmonden_8738
Photo by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Furnace Pond: Horsmonden's 17th century iron foundry The north-east end of Furnace Pond. The head of water from this 16 acre lake once powered the giant hammer of John Browne's forge, the flames of which could be "seen about the country at 10 miles distance". With the abundance of iron ore in the local clay and of wood to fuel the blast furnace, Horsmonden in 1613 had 200 men employed in its iron foundry under John Browne. Such was Browne's skill in casting and proving guns that he was later granted a monopoly as "Gunfounder for the King's Service". In 1638 Charles I himself was here to watch a gun being cast. Browne also supplied guns to the Dutch, at that time the greatest sea power. Then, on the arrival of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, he was quick to switch his allegiance and was casting guns for Parliament until his death in 1651. When this former King's Gunfounder was buried, an impressive alabaster and black marble monument was erected to him in Horsmonden parish church 917323. But it stands there no longer. A 19th century Rector, an ardent Royalist, could not abide to see a memorial in his church to a man who had turned his coat for Cromwell, and removed it! See other snippets from the surprising history of Horsmonden at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2_ZstVBZSfIC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA99#v=onepage&q=&f=true There is little now to show for this once great industry apart from such local names as Flightshot Farm TQ6840, Furnace Pond, and the old Gun Inn, and several chalybeate springs. See also Gallery at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/the_history_of_horsmonden_8738
Photo by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Footpath junction in Sprivers Garden land The High Weald Landscape Trail (long distance path) follows the National Trust House drive, then it turns right towards Brenchley Road. A footpath also heads straight on towards Horsmonden Road, near Burrs Hill.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Kissing Gate in Sprivers Garden Woodland This gate is leads from the National Trust land towards Marle Place Road. The High Weald Landscape Trail heads right along the Garden's drive towards Hazel Street from Horsmonden.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Oasthanger, Lamberhurst Road, Horsmonden, Kent
Photo by Oast House Archive (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

3 out of 5
Bearsted Rd Maidstone England
Stay at this hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,235 reviews)
Nice atmosphere and good restaurant

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

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ORIDA Maidstone Hotel
Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns

Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns

3 out of 5
Talbot Lane Gravesend England
The price is €56 per night from 22 Feb to 23 Feb
€56
22 Feb - 23 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Gravesend. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Good facilities

Reviewed on 30 Jan 2026

Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns
Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Brands Hatch, J3 Sevenoaks England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €59 per night from 26 Feb to 27 Feb
€59
26 Feb - 27 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Sevenoaks. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
Was all good.

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa
See all 2,259 properties in Horsmonden
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
House - Sleeps 4 - Garden - Parking

House - Sleeps 4 - Garden - Parking

3.5 out of 5
Ashford England
Stay at this residence in Ashford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Ashford Golf Club and Cineworld Ashford are located ...
House - Sleeps 4 - Garden - Parking
Modern 2 Bedroom Apartment In The Heart Of Historic Hastings Old Town

Modern 2 Bedroom Apartment In The Heart Of Historic Hastings Old Town

Hastings ENG
Stay at this apartment in Hastings. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Electric Palace and Old Town Hall ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (132 reviews)
Lovely guy, no hassle or issues, apartment was lovely clean, smelt lovely, and had everything needed, would highly recomend. No problems or complaints. Thankyou

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

Modern 2 Bedroom Apartment In The Heart Of Historic Hastings Old Town
Kentish Oast, Cottage and Barn in stunning private grounds with swimming pool

Kentish Oast, Cottage and Barn in stunning private grounds with swimming pool

Hollingbourne England
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Maidstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a garden. Popular attractions Leeds Castle and Bearsted Golf Club are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
A good host who was very responsive. Great set of 3 cottages shared by 9 of us comfortably over the holiday season. Plenty of kitchen equipment for all our culinary needs… brilliant!!

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2025

Kentish Oast, Cottage and Barn in stunning private grounds with swimming pool
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Penshurst Place and Gardens which includes a fountain and a park

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Explore this 14th-century Elizabethan manor with its long history, walled gardens, children’s playgrounds and scenic picnic areas.

Penshurst Place and Gardens
Hop Farm Family Park showing land animals and zoo animals

Hop Farm Family Park

Let the kids enjoy a blend of adventure, magic and wildlife with a scenic backdrop of rolling hills and forests at this park east of Tonbridge.

Hop Farm Family Park
Tranquil river boat trip

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle is just one of the places to see in Tonbridge, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Tonbridge Castle
Dog walking and cycling park with lakes, rivers, woods, fields and a great little cafe that sells homemade burgers

Haysden Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at Haysden Country Park, a lovely green space in Tonbridge. Make time to visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Haysden Country Park

Balfour Winery

3/5(2 reviews)

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Balfour Winery during your travels to Staplehurst.

Balfour Winery

All Saints' Tudeley

Learn about the local history of Tudeley when you spend time at All Saints' Tudeley. Visit the spas and top-notch restaurants in this quaint area.

All Saints' Tudeley
Tonbridge featuring château or palace, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Tonbridge

Pantiles

Royal Tunbridge Wells

September 2013 Taking our boat out from Hampstead Marina in Yalding, Kent where she's moored. There's nothing better than a gentle cruise along the River Medway, mooring up along on the bank and having a picnic before returning back.

Yalding

Oast House at Knells Farm, Queen Street, Paddock Wood, Kent
Photo by Oast House Archive (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Paddock Wood