Ironbridge is an important historic location in Shropshire, England. Ironbridge Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the "birthplaces of industry" and central to the story of the industrial revolution in Great Britain.
Get in
By car
Ironbridge Gorge is on the River Severn, 5 miles (8 km) south of Telford in Shropshire. Take junction 4 from the M54, and follow the brown and white traffic signs.
By train
Telford Central rail station (08457 484950) is 5 miles (8 km) north of Blists Hill Victorian Town.
By bus
- Telford Travelink (01952 200005)
By Bike
The National Cycle Route follows the route of a former canal and railway, now called "The Silkin Way" from North Telford, through the town centre to Ironbridge, via Blists Hill Museum.
Get around
A regular shuttle bus service(01952 200005) operates throughout the Gorge every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. This bus also has limited links to the Rail Station.
If you are visiting the museums and want to see the surrounding area, a car is essential as public transport links vary from limited to non-existent. Note, however, that there is no free parking in Ironbridge itself, though parking charges are normally reasonable.
See
- The worlds first Iron Bridge - there is a small visitor's centre on one side.
- Museum of the Gorge – a small museum, but containing a large diorama model of the gorge at the height of its industry. A visit here first helps to put all of the museums into context.
- Blists Hill Museum - a living history museum and reconstructed Victorian town.
- Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale, Abraham Darby's original blast furnace and a large Victorian warehouse, now housing a museum of the Coalbrookdale company.
- Enginuity- an interactive science & engineering museum aimed at children, Coalbrookdale.
- The Greenwood Trust - a forest management and conversation centre, Coalbrookdale.
- 1 Buildwas Abbey, Nr Ironbridge, TF8 7BW, ☏ +44 1952 433274. An ancient abbey ruin owned by English Heritage just outside Ironbridge. It is advisable to use a car to get to as, while it is within walking distance, it is a walk of around a mile along a road with no pavement. adults £3.60, children £2.20, concessions £3.20.
- The Tile Museum - A privately-owned museum documenting the history of ceramic tiles, Jackfield.
- Coalport China Museum – The original home of Coalport china, now a museum.
- Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. A year-long passport is available which allows entry to all the museums, and has traditionally been very good value for money if you intend to visit a number of them.
Do
Buy
Eat
Various expensive pubs and nondescript curry houses / Italian restaurants. Also a good Thai place next to the bridge.
Eighty-Six'd, 1a Waterloo St Ironbridge Shropshire TF8 7AA United Kingdom. W-Su: 10:00-18:00. Cafe and art gallery with a creative menu of soups, salads and sandwiches, as well as typical cafe drinks, snacks and desserts. Vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free-friendly.
Drink
Sleep
There are a large number of small inns and Bed & Breakfasts in or near Ironbridge. When searching for accommodation outside of Ironbridge, it is worth looking across Telford and Madeley
Budget
There is a Youth Hostel at Coalport and Coalbrookdale, both campuses being part of the same hostel. The latter campus is very modern and popular, though is not ideal for self-catering visitors. No camp sites are available in Ironbridge itself, though there are more in South Shropshire and Shrewsbury directions.
Mid-range
- Swallow Buckatree Hall Hotel, ☏ +44 1952 641821, gm.buckatree@crerarmgmt.com.
- The Calcutts House, Calcutts Road, Jackfield, ☏ +44 1952 882631. Well-run 18th century home with kind hosts. It is located a little outside the main town (20 minute walk), very close to the tile museum. Six rooms. £40-70.
Splurge
The Valley Hotel, a period Best Western property to the west of Ironbridge, with pleasant views overlooking the park and a particularly well regarded restaurant.
Go next
You can head out by car:
- North to Telford
- South toward Much Wenlock, Bridgnorth and Church Stretton part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- West toward Shrewsbury and North Wales
It's worth exploring Wellington which, like Ironbridge, is part of the new-town of Telford, which has a nice town park which is worth a visit if you have children.
Telford Steam Railway is also a pleasant trip on a Sundays or Bank Holidays, as is a walk up the nearby Wrekin Hill.