Moira Furnace Museum

As well as looking after the cycle routes through the National Forest we also like to promote the area and its attractions.  One of the attractions is the museum at Moira Furnace which is situated on NCN(63) in the village of Moira just a few hundred yards from Conkers Waterside entrance.

The furnace from the new path from Measham Road - a boat trip ready to depart.

I must have cycled past Moira Furnace hundreds of times and have wanted to have a look at the museum but been unable to find the time.  On returning from a family day out recently whilst travelling through Moira I noticed the loft doors open from a distance and decided to have a family visit to the furnace museum.

The Furnace Museum is only open between 11am and 4pm at weekends and bank holidays between Easter and September  and Tuesday to Sundays during the school holidays (Leicestershire) and is operated mainly be a team of friendly and helpful volunteers.  The price is a very modest £2 for adults and £1 for children.  Boat trips are also run from the museum along the Ashby Canal towards Donisthorpe again for a modest cost.

The museum consists of 3 main areas; The Loft, the display area and the World War 1 kitchen. 

Entrance to the loft

The Loft area is reached by crossing the canal on the footbridge and then walking up the ramp back over the canal.  The loft has several interactive
displays and follows the process of how the furnace was supposed to work(!) and also a display of what the area would have looked like in it's short working life.  There is also an area specifically for children - ideal for groups and includes costumes to dress up in.  The view from the top is worth a look too.

View towards Moira with new link on right

The World War 1 Kitchen is pretty much as named - a kitchen typical of the World War 1 period - well presented.

View towards Donisthorpe

A forthcoming event currently being advertised

The main section is the entrance and shop and has a presentation relating to when the furnace was used for housing and tells some of the stories from those who lived there.  There are also picture displays and a reconstruction of a dressmaking shop and a cobblers from the period too.

The shop sells a selection of local books and also drinks and ice creams.  Aside from the museum there is also the country park surrounding it and also the lime kilns a couple of minutes walk away.  There are toilets and a cafe within the park close-by and parking is free too.

However, as the Furnace is situated directly on NCN(63) cycling is certainly an option for travelling. With the link to Hicks Lodge soon to be completed the cycling traffic through the area should increase significantly.

It is certainly worth nipping in to have a look around.  More details can be found via www.moirafurnace.org