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Gun's Mills, Flaxley
51.8413° N, -2.4730° E
About
Gun's Mills, at Flaxley, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, was a major industrial site from the 17th century. Originally built as an armaments factory with associated blast furnace in 1629, it was converted into a paper mill in the 18th century and operated as such until the late 19th century. By the 21st century the mill buildings were largely ruinous, but are being restored as of 2023. Structures on the site included listed buildings and a scheduled monument. The mill complex has been described as the "best remaining furnace of the earliest phase of British blast-furnace practice' and as the "oldest surviving blast furnace that exists in Europe, if not in the world."
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Armaments factory established
1629
Blast furnace operating
1683
Conversion to paper mill
1743
End of paper production and agricultural reuse
late 19th century
Restoration funding and progress
2023
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Animal Husbandry Features
Industrial and Craft Structures
Domestic and Habitation Structures
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