Topics > Industry and Work > Iron and Steel Making
Iron and Steel Making
Iron and later steel working had a huge impact on the rapid industrialisation across many parts of the North East. For example:
"..so late as 1801 [Middlesbrough] only had twenty-five inhabitants....in 1850 the ironstone was discovered in the Cleveland Hills, ten miles from Middlesbrough, and then the great town we have described rose on the banks of the Tees, within reach on the one hand, of the Durham coal-fields, and on the other the Cleveland ironstone. There could not have been a more favourable place for an ironmaking centre." (At the works, Bell, 1911)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
044934:Spencer's Steel Works Newburn Unknown c.1920
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
045310:Spencer's Steel Works Newburn Unknown c.1909
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle University (youtube)
Molten Metal Transported By Train (1969)
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Derwentcote Steel Furnace
- Overview Map "Built in the 1720s, Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace in Britain. It produced high-grade steel for springs and cutting tools.....and was used for cementation, …
from https://openlibrary.org/books…
At the works. A study of a manufacturing town. (Lady Bell, 1911)
- Digitised version of At the works. A study of a manufacturing town (revised) by Lady Bell (Mrs. Hugh Bell). Published 1911 by Nelson in London, New York . Available as …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Henry Bolckow (1806-1878)
- Summary About Henry Bolckow Henry Bolckow, born 8th December 1806, is considered to be one of the founders of modern Middlesbrough. He was a successful industrialist, who founded the Bolckow …
from http://www.thenorthernecho.co…
North-East steel town that felt the icy blast of change
- "Margaret Thatcher changed the face of Britain. When she became Prime Minister in 1979, the traditional industries of coal, steel and shipbuilding dominated the economy and provided jobs for hundreds …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Winlaton Forge
- Overview Map Street View Winlaton Forge is the last surviving link in the village with Crowley's Iron Works. Ambrose Crowley's works dominated the iron manufacturing trade in the North East …
Co-Curate Page
Ridsdale Iron Works
- Overview Map Street View Scheduled Monument area of Risdale Iron Works - based on Historic England data (Open Government Licence). The remains of Ridsdale Iron Works are to the north …
Co-Curate Page
Spencer's Steelworks, Newburn (1822-1960's)
- John Spencer and Sons Ltd. established works at Newburn in 1822, initially based in an old water mill in Walbottle Dene. However, the business grew significantly after further land was …
Co-Curate Page
Seaton Iron Works (1762 - 1857)
- Seaton Iron Works was an iron works which operated between 1763 and 1899 under different titles and various owners. The site chosen was on the north bank of the River …
Co-Curate Page
Birtley Iron Company
- The Birtley Iron Company was established in the 1820's and built 3 furnaces in Birtley in c.1827 for the smelting of local ironstone (and later, also from the Whitby Stone …
Co-Curate Page
Backbarrow Ironworks
- Established in 1711. Isaac Wilkinson worked here, he developed a furnace fuelled by charcoal and was one of the first of its kind in the UK.The main products of the …
Co-Curate Page
Isaac Wilkinson (1695 - 1784)
- A plaque at Backbarrow Ironworks states: "Isaac Wilkinson c1704 - 1784 practical metallurgist and inventor. British ironmakers profitably gained from his inventions. Foundryman Backbarrow Iron Company. Lived here c1730 - …
Co-Curate Page
The Dye House, Acklington Park
- Overview Map Street View Dye House is a residential building on the south banks of the River Coquet in Acklington Park, about a mile south of Guyzance. It was originally …
Co-Curate Page
Barrow Hematite Steel Company (1859 - 1963)
- The Barrow Hematite Steel Company Ltd was a major iron and steel producer based in Barrow-in-Furness, which operated between 1859 and 1963. It played an important role in the development …
Co-Curate Page
Newland Furnace Conservation Area
- Note: Map data from Westmorland and Furness Council c/o Open Data UK, under the Open Government Licence, imported into Google MyMaps, February 2026. Check with W&FC for amendments and updates. …
Co-Curate Page
Winlaton Mill ironworks (1691 - 1863)
- Scheduled Monument area - based on Historic England data (Open Government Licence). Scheduled Monument (#1017224): Winlaton Mill ironworks, south east of Winlaton Mill village Click the headings below to expand …
Co-Curate Page
Allensford blast furnace
- Scheduled Monument area - based on Historic England data (Open Government Licence). The remains of a late 17th or early 18th century blast furnace are located in the woods by …
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
044934:Spencer's Steel Works Newburn Unknown c.1920
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
045310:Spencer's Steel Works Newburn Unknown c.1909
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Newcastle University (youtube)
Molten Metal Transported By Train (1969)
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Derwentcote Steel Furnace
- Overview Map "Built in the 1720s, Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace in Britain. It produced high-grade steel for springs and cutting tools.....and was used for cementation, …
from https://openlibrary.org/books…
At the works. A study of a manufacturing town. (Lady Bell, 1911)
- Digitised version of At the works. A study of a manufacturing town (revised) by Lady Bell (Mrs. Hugh Bell). Published 1911 by Nelson in London, New York . Available as …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Henry Bolckow (1806-1878)
- Summary About Henry Bolckow Henry Bolckow, born 8th December 1806, is considered to be one of the founders of modern Middlesbrough. He was a successful industrialist, who founded the Bolckow …
from http://www.thenorthernecho.co…
North-East steel town that felt the icy blast of change
- "Margaret Thatcher changed the face of Britain. When she became Prime Minister in 1979, the traditional industries of coal, steel and shipbuilding dominated the economy and provided jobs for hundreds …
Added by
Simon Cotterill
Co-Curate Page
Winlaton Forge
- Overview Map Street View Winlaton Forge is the last surviving link in the village with Crowley's Iron Works. Ambrose Crowley's works dominated the iron manufacturing trade in the North East …
Co-Curate Page
Ridsdale Iron Works
- Overview Map Street View Scheduled Monument area of Risdale Iron Works - based on Historic England data (Open Government Licence). The remains of Ridsdale Iron Works are to the north …
Co-Curate Page
Spencer's Steelworks, Newburn (1822-1960's)
- John Spencer and Sons Ltd. established works at Newburn in 1822, initially based in an old water mill in Walbottle Dene. However, the business grew significantly after further land was …
Co-Curate Page
Seaton Iron Works (1762 - 1857)
- Seaton Iron Works was an iron works which operated between 1763 and 1899 under different titles and various owners. The site chosen was on the north bank of the River …
Co-Curate Page
Birtley Iron Company
- The Birtley Iron Company was established in the 1820's and built 3 furnaces in Birtley in c.1827 for the smelting of local ironstone (and later, also from the Whitby Stone …
Co-Curate Page
Backbarrow Ironworks
- Established in 1711. Isaac Wilkinson worked here, he developed a furnace fuelled by charcoal and was one of the first of its kind in the UK.The main products of the …
Co-Curate Page
Isaac Wilkinson (1695 - 1784)
- A plaque at Backbarrow Ironworks states: "Isaac Wilkinson c1704 - 1784 practical metallurgist and inventor. British ironmakers profitably gained from his inventions. Foundryman Backbarrow Iron Company. Lived here c1730 - …
Co-Curate Page
The Dye House, Acklington Park
- Overview Map Street View Dye House is a residential building on the south banks of the River Coquet in Acklington Park, about a mile south of Guyzance. It was originally …
Co-Curate Page
Barrow Hematite Steel Company (1859 - 1963)
- The Barrow Hematite Steel Company Ltd was a major iron and steel producer based in Barrow-in-Furness, which operated between 1859 and 1963. It played an important role in the development …
Co-Curate Page
Newland Furnace Conservation Area
- Note: Map data from Westmorland and Furness Council c/o Open Data UK, under the Open Government Licence, imported into Google MyMaps, February 2026. Check with W&FC for amendments and updates. …
Co-Curate Page
Winlaton Mill ironworks (1691 - 1863)
- Scheduled Monument area - based on Historic England data (Open Government Licence). Scheduled Monument (#1017224): Winlaton Mill ironworks, south east of Winlaton Mill village Click the headings below to expand …
