The Old Forge and the Forge Cottage as shown on the sketch above provide an attractive focal point for the centre of Lighthorne Village.

The building was probably built as a smithy, the earliest record found so far is Whites directory of 1829 which lists a Mr. Momford or Mountford as the blacksmith. By 1851, the census shows that a Mr. William Herbert as being in business as a Blacksmith here.

The Census of 1851 shows the Herbert family, with father William, born in Lighthorne, wife Isabella from Liskeard Cornwall, and two sons Thomas William and Phillip Moon. There was also a lodger from Kineton, a gardener called John Buckerfield.

William and Isabella Herbert were still present in 1881 together with elder son Thomas, now also described as a Blacksmith. Thomas Herbert is shown as living alone at the cottage in 1991, but it is possible that the house was divided at this time and the other portion let to one of the Humphriss families. (The Humphriss are listed alongside Herbert but as a separate household. They may have been in Chestnut cottage.)

The Smithy is believed to have been sold to Mr Ben Cole in 1926.

The above picture is believed to date from about 1910, this shows the forge cottage with two doors and without the Coles’ signboard. It is probable that the gentleman outside the forge is Thomas Herbert.

The description below shows how the property was listed in the sale of the balance of the Verney estates in 1930. The auction was held in the Bath Hotel Leamington Spa on the 14^th June 1930.

The house ceased to be a smithy in 1988 when the cottage portion was sold as a house separate from the forge. The forge was subsequently converted into asingle dwelling.

The building is listed as mid18th Century but may be on earlier foundations. The listing description states "Cottage. Mid 18C; probably raised slightly late C18. Squared coursed limestone. Thatched roof; brick end stack. 2-unitplan. 2-storeys. 2-window range. Entrance to rear. Ground floor has leaded single light, and two 3-light casements. Blackened wood lintels. Window on right has second much larger and rougher lintel above. First floor has 4-light and 2-light casements. Horizontal glazing bars throughout. Small C20 single storey addition to left. Adjoins the Smithy.