The furnace was built by the Earl of Moira and operated for only seven years before becoming economically unviable.
It is one of the few surviving examples of a mid-1800s charcoal-era blast furnace in the United Kingdom.
The furnace was built specifically to process local ironstone using coal from the neighboring mines, an innovative move for the time.
The canal basin at the site was once a major transit point for coal and iron ore, now repurposed for leisure boating.
The site layout includes a restored wharf that demonstrates how raw materials were loaded directly into the furnace top.
It is managed as part of a 35-acre country park that reclaimed land once scarred by heavy industrial mining.
Moira Furnace is a well-preserved 19th-century blast furnace located within a country park in the heart of the National Forest. Constructed between 1804 and 1806, it serves as a monument to the industrial history of the North West Leicestershire coalfield. The site includes the main furnace building, a canal-side setting, and surrounding woodland trails. Visitors can explore the preserved furnace interior and a collection of artifacts detailing local iron production. The site is situated directly on the Ashby Canal, which historically facilitated the transport of iron and coal. The grounds feature a restored lime kiln and extensive walking paths integrated with local nature conservation efforts. It serves as an educational hub for understanding the transition between the 18th and 19th-century iron-making techniques.
The view from the canal towpath looking back at the furnace chimney framed against the greenery.
Walk the towpath along the Ashby Canal to see the historic wharf structures from a water-level perspective.
Bring sturdy footwear, as the surrounding country park trails can be muddy during wet weather.
Check the museum's seasonal event calendar for historical reenactments and demonstrations.
Do not attempt to access roped-off or restricted areas of the industrial furnace stack for safety reasons.
The site typically follows seasonal opening patterns, often restricting full building access to weekends and school holidays during off-peak periods.
