Chain Bridge Forge

Chain Bridge Forge Historic Blacksmith Workshop which has been preserved and developed into a living museum that includes an extensive online local history collection Mr.

History
Until recently, Spalding blacksmith’s workshop had, for many years, been in the ownership of the Dodd family. The business was started by George Dodd who came to Spalding from Newmarket in 1898. George’s son, James, was also a blacksmith. George and James’ income came principally from shoeing the many horses owned locally by farmers and brewers, as well as putting iron tyres on cart wheels

. The influence of these activities on the workshop can still be seen (see images, below). Geoffrey Dodd, (the previous owner and James’ son), still lives opposite the workshop and he spent much of his career as a blacksmith designing and building many of the floats that participated in Spalding’s flower parade during the 1960s and 1970s. He still has a large archive of material relating to this work. Dodd initially approached South Holland District Council (SHDC) in 1986 with a view to getting the authority involved as he was nearing retirement, had no son to follow him and the building was in a poor state of repair. Discussions continued for the next few years until SHDC purchased the workshop from him on September 20th 1988 for the nominal fee of £1. Chain Bridge Forge Chronology
• The building dates back to the early 1800’s
• 1826 White’s Directory shows Francis South as the Blacksmith
• 1850 – 60 accounts showing the Blacksmith was servicing the boats that used the port
• 1898 – The Dodd Family took ownership and were the last Harbour Master
• 3 generations of the Dodd family worked the forge
• Geoffrey Dodd the last Blacksmith sold it to South Holland District Council in 1989.
• Today we hope to create The Friends of Chain Bridge Forge conserve the artefacts and tell the story of this historic building and build an outreach programme which will involve schools and the community
The building and its significance
The building is thought to date from around 1800 and was purpose built as a blacksmith’s workshop. It is situated on the east bank of the River Welland about one mile from the town centre, only four metres away from the river itself. It has not been listed by English Heritage. It is approximately 12m 35cms long and 6m 35cms wide. It is subdivided internally into three spaces, the largest of which contains the forge and main work space. The floor is mainly of hard packed earth, with large pieces of stone and slate covering some areas

We're excited at The Sail Loft to welcome back Dee from Dee-zyn Jewelry who will be with us on the 25th July between 1.3...
26/06/2026

We're excited at The Sail Loft to welcome back Dee from Dee-zyn Jewelry who will be with us on the 25th July between 1.30 and 4.30pm. Spaces are limited so don't leave it too late. Booking your place is easy just email [email protected].

25/06/2026

Free Blacksmithing On Celebrate the River Day 2026.
On the 5th July.
Blacksmithing Starts at 10.30 to 3
First come first served.
Make a hook with Ryan our Blacksmith.



We're excited at The Sail Loft to welcome back Dee from Dee-zyn Jewelry who will be with us on the 25th July between 1.3...
21/06/2026

We're excited at The Sail Loft to welcome back Dee from Dee-zyn Jewelry who will be with us on the 25th July between 1.30 and 4.30pm. Spaces are limited so don't leave it too late. Booking your place is easy just email [email protected]. Spalding, The Spalding & South Holland Voice , South Holland District Council, Health Community Connectors , Simply Spalding Magazine, Spalding Arts & Crafts Society, Spalding, Hello Spalding, Spalding Arts & Crafts Society

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13/06/2026

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12/06/2026

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07/06/2026
Book our next Jewellery Workshop
07/06/2026

Book our next Jewellery Workshop

Delivered by Dee from Dee-Zyn Jewellery. All materials are included in the price. Including the Cabochon, but if you have a special one you'd like...

New jewellery workshop on the 25th July. Book online.
07/06/2026

New jewellery workshop on the 25th July. Book online.

Delivered by Dee from Dee-Zyn Jewellery. All materials are included in the price. Including the Cabochon, but if you have a special one you'd like...

Event this Sunday
04/06/2026

Event this Sunday

High all fantastic opportunity please book asap
03/06/2026

High all fantastic opportunity please book asap

Don’t forget it’s this Sunday. Book now!!
Try our online booking system.

https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GNJI

Address

High Street
Spalding
PE111TX

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 10:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4pm
Friday 10:30am - 4pm
Saturday 10:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+447960587724

Website

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