Moira Furnace

Moira Furnace, in Leicestershire's National Forest, is a coke-fired iron blast furnace built in 1804 on the banks of the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal. It proved commercially unsuccessful, ceasing blast operations by 1811, although its attached foundry continued in use until after 1844. Recognised as one of the best-preserved furnaces of its type, the site was scheduled as a nationally important ancient monument in the 1970s. North West Leicestershire District Council became custodian of the furnace in 1981 and continues to work in partnership with the Moira Furnace Museum Trust to preserve and operate it, now as a museum and country park open to the public.