In the mid- to late-1700's there was demand for iron from the landowner, Lord Scarborough, so in 1779 a forge was opened by William Hawks Jr. along with Thomas Longridge.
In 1789 The River Wear rose so high that the iron forge mill, belonging to Messrs Hawks and Co. was entirely swept away.
In 1827 John Wight and Lumley Forge were involved in the construction of the locomotive Royal George, designed by Timothy Hackworth. The scope included boiler work and castings. Much of the technology used on this engine was used in the development of Stephenson's Rocket.
There were still forge buildings on the site in 1905 but I don't know when the forge works ended.
Now there is an A1M motorway flyover directly above the site.