Dick Brook

Dick Brook is thought to be the first canalised brook in England, engineered by Andrew Yarranton, a local pioneer of the industrial revolution. He did this in the mid-17th century, 100 years before James Brindley embarked on the canal-building revolution. The brook was dredged and locks built to enable boats to carry iron ore from the River Severn up Dick Brook to a blast furnace. 500m along the path, marked by a way-marker post, you reach the site of a former iron forge. There are some building remains and the area is being studied by local historians. As you continue westwards, to the right of the path there are the earthworks of the leat which fed water to turn the wheels at the forge. The furnace site was 100m up the valley to the south of the path as you go towards Glasshampton.Source: Geopark guide