River Lod

The River Lod is a short river draining about 52 km2 of north west Sussex. The source is on Marley Heights near Haslemere, about 140 metres above sea level. From here it flows west past Linchmere, then south to Furnace Pond, where iron cannon were cast during the English Civil War. It then turns south east, flowing south of Fernhurst to Lickfold and Lurgashall where it formerly powered Lurgashall Mill, now moved to the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. From Mill Farm it heads south between high banks, which it only overflows after the heaviest of rainfalls, passing between the hills of Lodsworth and River to Halfway Bridge on the A272 road then joining the River Rother at Lods Bridge.
Iron was produced by a blast furnace on the boundary of Fernhurst and Linchmere parishes. Water to power the bellows was provided by an artificial lake covering about 2.5 hectares created by a dam on the river. There was also a higher pond 400 metres north-west of the furnace to provide a reserve supply as continuity of production is vital for a blast furnace.

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