What is Croop Iron?

Willsbridge Mill isn’t only known for it’s beautiful setting - it also played an importnat role in Bristol’s industrial story. In the early 1800’s, the Mill was part of Thomas Pearsall’s Croop-Iron Works, producing a material that was vital for trade and everyday life. But what was croop iron, and why did it matter?

At Willsbridge Mill, part of Thomas Pearsall’s works in the early 1800s, the site became known for producing “croop iron.”

• The term croop iron is a local/variant spelling of hoop iron.

• Hoop iron was made by rolling bars of iron into long, thin strips.

• These strips were cut and shaped into barrel hoops (for the brewing, shipping and storage industries), as well as straps, ties, and other fastenings used in construction and trade.

Why it mattered

• Before strong steel bands and modern materials, hoop iron was essential for securing wooden barrels, crates, and casks.

• Bristol was a major port city — barrels were needed to transport everything from food to gunpowder — so demand was high.

• Willsbridge Mill, powered by water, provided the energy to roll iron for this trade.

• Come and visit to find out more.

Hoop iron for barrels