West Dean in Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Wheelwright's and Blacksmith's Shop
| | West Dean Village History Trail | |
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 1, 2025
1. The Wheelwright's and Blacksmith's Shop Marker
James Reynolds, whose sign designating himself as wheelwright and shoeing smith can be seen on the side wall of Number 1 to the left, had established himself as a wheelwright by 1890. In 1898 or 1899 Francis Warry, who came from a line of blacksmiths extending back over 200 years, came from Somerset to West Dean to live at Number 16 and to be blacksmith here. This he continued to be until shortly before his death in 1935.
In addition to shoeing horses and bonding wheels for wagons, iron implements were fashioned as required by customers. By 1920 James Reynolds had been joined in the business by his two sons and the business had expanded to take in motor engineering and many other activities, details of which are shown on the board at what was the entrance to the garage and petrol station.
Demand for blacksmith and wheelwright services declined with the replacement of horses and carts by motorised vehicles but the wheelwright's and blacksmith's shop and the blacksmith's forge continued to stand here until the shop, or smithy, was converted into a Post Office with shop in 1965. It is presumed that the forge was demolished at that time.
Erected by West Dean Village History Trail. (Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 51° 2.554′ N, 1° 38.114′ W. Marker is in West Dean, England, in Wiltshire. It is on Rectory Hill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rectory Hill, West Dean, England SP5 1JQ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South West England. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: West Dean School (here, next to this marker); Dean House (here, next to this marker); The Post Office (here, next to this marker); Royal Naval Armaments Depot (here, next to this marker); Bridge Cottage (here, next to this marker); King George's Hall (here, next to this marker); Garage and Petrol Station (here, next to this marker); Henrietta Crook House (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Dean.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 7 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 2, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
