The Heritage Open Days at Fernhurst Furnace, were a “roaring success”, attracting around 1,000 visitors over the weekend.

The historic blast furnace site is the best preserved in the south of England and visitors were shown the huge contribution the local iron industry made to the economy of the Weald and the arming of the British Navy in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Visitors also heard about a major conservation project in the pipeline to re-excavate the furnace, which was backfilled in 1989 due to lack of funds.

Carla and Robin Barnes, who own part of the site and hosted the event, said: “It was a roaring success.”

There were guided tours of the site, which is set in beautiful ancient woodland, and exciting displays by the Sir Marmaduke Rawdon’s Regiment of Foot from the Sealed Knot were thoroughly enjoyed.

Kevin Lochner of Hawking About was the master of ceremonies and displayed his beautiful birds including Buzbee the barn owl, Nova the European eagle owl and accompanying hawks.

There were many demonstrations of crafts. The Gosport Living History Society were a great draw.

Plenty of refreshments were appreciated and, with the capricious weather, there was the added entertainment of some beautiful Land Rovers, and a vintage tractor towing out grounded vehicles successfully from the parking area.

Other places that opened their doors as part of the national heritage celebrations were Waverley Abbey and the private schools Charerhouse, Barrow Hills and King Edward’s, Witley, with Morris dancers entertaining crowds in Godalming.