Bersham Ironworks

Background History

Ironmaking first started at Bersham around 1640. Initially the ironworks probably made cannon for the Royalists in the Civil War. However, it were in the 18th century - when the Ironworks was owned and extended by first Isaac and then John Wilkinson - that Bersham acquired an international reputation.

It was at Bersham from 1775 that John Wilkinson used his revolutionary process to accurately bore cannon and cylinders from solid cast metal. It was this accuracy that was so important. Cannon from Bersham were used in the American War of Independence and in many of Britain's foreign campaigns during the Napoleonic and Peninsular Wars. Wilkinson's cannons have been seen as far afield as Corfu.

In times of peace Wilkinson's cylinders enabled Boulton and Watt's steam engines to power the Industrial Revolution. It was a successful partnership till James Watt discovered John Wilkinson had been marketing his own steam engines on the sly. This was not the first time John Wilkinson had fallen out with a close partner. Earlier John had argued with his brother William. William raised a gang of men to destroy Bersham Ironworks. Hearing this John raised a gang aswell and joined in. Soon after John's death, Bersham Ironworks closed in 1812.

The site was excavated between 1987 - 1991 and you can find out more about this exciting period of Wales' industrial past by visiting Bersham Ironworks and its visitor centre in the old mill.

Currently Bersham Ironworks are being "scheduled" - which is recognition by the National Assembly for Wales of their historic importance. This will help safeguard this important witness to Wales' industrial past.