Dulverton blacksmiths

Forge Cottage and its smithy, now a florist's shop

Every town and village had a blacksmith before the coming of motor vehicles. Some large smithies became garages as the car replaced the horse. The skills of working iron, not only into horseshoes, but also into tools for farm and craft, kitchen equipment, and fireirons, were often readily adapted to repairing early motor cars.

Forge Cottage in Bridge Street, Dulverton, was originally a small 17th-century cottage extended eastwards in the late 18th or early 19th century, presumably to accomodate the smithing business. Later a new stone smithy  was built end-on to the street near the house. It was operated by the Chanter family until the Second World War. They made items for the electricity company and repaired tools for Somerset County Council.

The other important smithy was located in the north of Dulverton at Town Marsh. This smithy had the benefit of a waterwheel driven by the Hollam Brook. It was kept by the Govier family who specialised in making edge tools such as scythes for local farmers and also shod horses for the Pixton estate.