Startop Forge

Startop Forge is a former Blacksmiths that used to belong to the Rothschilds Farrier, sat on the edge of the village of Marsworth just outside Tring. Several pubs are within easy walking distance, as well as a cafe and a farm shop. Tring Reservoirs are literally on the doorstep and offer great fishing, and have produced many records. The beautiful Tringford offers day ticket Fly Fishing for Trout too. There are also many rare birds that visit the reservoirs, including Bitterns and Black Terns. The space Startop forge is comprised of a single storey barn which houses the sleeping and living area/kitchenette, and the former dairy which is now a bathroom. The barn was once a farriers/blacksmiths workshop and the bellows and forge are still in place and usable! The old anvil stand is also still in the ground and can be seen poking out of the raised floor at the end of the bed. Walter Rothschild used to drive a carriage around Tring, pulled by four zebras, so there is a very real possibility that they were shod at the end of the barn where the two iron rings hang from the wall. They would be tied to one ring to shoe the left hooves, and the other for the right. There is also a small courtyard garden. We are set in a real working farm so some noise is to be expected from animals and machinery etc. Also the road can get busy at rush hour. Earplugs are provided, though it is normally pretty peaceful. Guest access The full barn, the bathroom and the courtyard. Please don’t use the cupboards in the bathroom.