Built around 1773 this unique building is possibly the only one of its type left in the world.

Note the solid timbers in the roof, pulleys were attached to them to haul up the cannon barrel moulds. These heavy beams are now impacting on the old foundry walls, hence the need for the scaffolding. Constructed in an octagonal shape it enabled 4 individual “air” furnaces to be built around its circumference. These are then “tapped” simultaneously to provide the huge quantity of Iron needed to cast Bersham’s large cannon barrels. The head “foundry-man” required extraordinary skills. Using just his eyes he needed to judge the exact temperature of the iron in each furnace by checking its “colour” before he poured it into the moulds. A serious explosion could occur endangering lives, if he got this wrong. The biggest guns made at Bersham were 32 pounders, these cannon barrels are nearly 3 metres long and weigh about 3 tons (heavier than our modern cars).