Horsmonden Travel Guide

Tourist 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is 2.627.540 ₫ per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
2.627.540 ₫
3.153.048 ₫ total
16 Mar - 17 Mar
includes taxes & fees
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,250 reviews)
Check in was good, restaurant and bar available, comfortable bed . The bathroom was tired and a bit shabby.

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

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 1.433.203 ₫ per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
1.433.203 ₫
1.719.843 ₫ total
12 Mar - 13 Mar
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. ...
Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns
Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel

Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel

4 out of 5
Hollingbourne Maidstone England
The price is 2.061.308 ₫ per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
2.061.308 ₫
2.473.711 ₫ total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Great service by reception staff

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel
See all 2,267 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.
The Lower Bell

The Lower Bell

3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road Aylesford England
Stay at this apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business centre and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and Kent Life ...
7.8/10 Good! (150 reviews)
Pleasant staff. Warm, clean room

Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025

The Lower Bell
Extraordinary Huts

Extraordinary Huts

3 out of 5
2 Nicole's Cottages Rye England
Stay at this cabin in Rye. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions St. Thomas the Martyr and Camber Castle are located nearby.
Extraordinary Huts
St Andrews Apartments

St Andrews Apartments

4 out of 5
34/35 St Andrews Park Maidstone England
Stay at this apartment in Maidstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Gallagher Stadium and Tyrewhitt-Drake ...
St Andrews Apartments
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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 showing a fountain and a park

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Find out about the history of Penshurst with a stop at Penshurst Place and Gardens. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Penshurst Place and Gardens
Hop Farm Family Park which includes zoo animals and land animals

Hop Farm Family Park

Bring the family to Hop Farm Family Park and have a fun-filled day at this theme park in East Peckham. Visit the spas and top-notch restaurants in this quaint area.

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

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

Cities near Horsmonden

St. Laurence church - VI - Hawkhurst - UK

Cranbrook

Tonbridge featuring a church or cathedral, a castle and heritage elements

Tonbridge

Pantiles

Royal Tunbridge Wells

Scotney Old Castle on a Super afternoon

Lamberhurst