The Forge would have provided a useful service to travellers as well as to the needs of the locals in providing their horseshoes and 101 iron implements. The origins of the present building are thought to be 14th century.
The Blacksmiths
The Forge is the oldest building in Cockington. In 1313 a Blacksmith named Richard Smith was mentioned in a tax list. In 1615 Anthony Hopper was a 'striker' or a learning apprentice to Cockington Forge, he eventually married his masters daughter and went to live in Torre. The last blacksmith to work here was in 1971.
