Henry Rogers - Hot Iron Blacksmithing - has taken up the torch at Chiddingfold Forge in Surrey. SPAB are very proud to host a working craftsperson to continue two centuries of tradition at this rare surviving example of a village green blacksmiths. Chiddingfold Forge has been repaired and sympathetically modernised by SPAB, with invaluable assistance from the local Chiddingfold residents, specialists, and local manufacturers.
Built around 1812 on the site of the former Market House, this Grade II-listed structure stands as a significant piece of Surrey’s rural heritage. Given to SPAB in 1938, the forge has remained at the heart of Chiddingfold’s cultural fabric. In 2009, local residents formed the Chiddingfold Conservation Trust to raise funds and deliver key improvements including roof repairs and utility connections. Today, with SPAB’s oversight, the building has been carefully repaired to ensure it is preserved and able to stand for years to come.
A standout feature of the most recent repairs is the use of traditional, high-quality materials. The forge’s roof has been repaired using hand-made Keymer tiles, produced in Ewhurst, Surrey (around 10 miles away) using the same clay, methods, and craftsmanship honed over centuries, while investing in sustainable production techniques.
Chiddingfold Forge is one of the UK’s last intact village green smithies. Following the retirement of the last resident blacksmith in 2023, Henry is re-establishing a forge within the building, bringing traditional skills back to the heart of the community while expanding his enterprise. He is hoping one of his first projects will be the gates of St James's Palace, London.
This project exemplifies the power of collaboration and craftsmanship. With its blend of heritage, community engagement and quality materials —the Chiddingfold Forge conservation work has been more than a building project. It is a living legacy, ensuring the forge remains a vital, working landmark for future generations.