Dick Nunn's Smithy

Cobwebbed, smoke-stained and very atmospheric, this is the blacksmith's shop where Victorian blacksmith Dick Nunn spent his working life and it remains much as Dick left it when he died in 1896.

Dick Nunn was an extraordinary man, a campaigner and champion of working people, he also fought for rights-of-way in the counryside before such things became fashionable.

Inside the smithy you will hear some of the stories about this eccentric and fearless man. Nunn's Bridge - It was to re-open an ancient footpath that blacksmith Dick Nunn built his now famous wrought iron footbridge over the River Blackwater in 1892. Threatened with replacement in 2020, a successful community campaign saved the bridge which has now been listed by Historic England and has been restored.
You can walk to Nunn's Bridge from the smithy in 30 mins - it is just over a mile. A round trip which returns via Grange Barn takes around an hour. A map is available. (Disclaimer - The walk is along public footpaths and available at any time so is not part of the HODS event and people undertaking it do so at their own risk)

In 2024 the smithy forms part of a Coggeshall Industrial Heritage self-guided walk - a leaflet and map will be available at the smithy and on Saturday 14th at a heritage fair at Coggeshall Grange Barn. (Disclaimer - The walk is is not part of the HODS event and can be followed at any time, so people undertaking it do so at their own risk.)

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

1100-1630

Sunday 15 September:

1100-1630

Location & directions

Swan Yard, Rear of 35 East Street, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1SJ

Directions:

Swan Yard is an unmade road between East Street and Church Street. No access for vehicles. The smithy will be signposted.

Contact on day:

Trevor Disley

Telephone number:

+447729461541

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Swan Yard is pedestrian only. Parking is available in the car park off Stoneham Street. On Saturdays the first hour is free (press green button twice for ticket) on Sundays parking is free.

Additional information

The floor inside the smithy is uneven - brick setts and bare earth - so care must be taken. A concrete slab at the entrance of the smithy provides a a good view of the interior and has a smooth surface for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Max no of people per tour:

25

Est. tour duration:

0 hour(s) 20 minute(s)

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