Ironbridge Gorge Shropshire

Ironbridge, Shropshire

Ironbridge Gorge & the Iron Bridge Guide

Jake Davies

The Iron Bridge at Ironbridge Gorge, the first large, cast-iron bridge in the world. — The Iron Bridge at Ironbridge Gorge, the first large, cast-iron bridge in the world

Ironbridge Gorge is a scenic gorge on the River Severn in Shropshire. Named after the first bridge made of iron, it is an area registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.

Both the gorge and the village on its banks are named after the Iron Bridge which was built here in 1781, so it's not surprising that the bridge is the focus of attention. Celebrated as the first major bridge to be constructed out of cast iron, its success led to the widespread use of cast iron as a structural element.

Detail of the ornate cast-iron structure of the Iron Bridge in Shropshire. — Detail of the ornate cast-iron structure of the Iron Bridge in Shropshire

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Wildflowers at Ironbridge World Heritage Site. — Wildflowers at Ironbridge World Heritage Site

History

The bridge was designed by Thomas Farnolis Pritchard, a local architect who mostly worked on interiors. His design is based on the structure of a timber bridge and construction began in 1777. He died before the bridge was completed in 1779.

Consisting of a single span of just over 100 feet, the bridge opened to traffic in 1781. The construction and the casting of the parts was undertaken by Abraham Darby III, the third generation of a local iron-making family.

In 1934 the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic, but tolls were still charged to pedestrians crossing the bridge until 1950.

The bridge has been recently renovated and is now painted a dark red.

The view from the Iron Bridge looking upstream. — The view from the Iron Bridge looking upstream

Attractions

On the southern side of the bridge is the Old Tollhouse that is now a cafe, gift shop, and a small museum on the history of the bridge.

Though now quite rural and scenic, with many pleasant walks along either side of the river, there are also plenty of eateries, pubs, cafes etc to enjoy.

Indeed, it is hard to believe that the area was in earlier times a hotbed of industrial activity with coal, iron ore, limestone, and clay all easily available near the surface and the river providing easy transport. For those who wish to delve deeper into this industrial heritage, there are numerous options.

The riverfront village of Ironbridge reflected in the River Severn. — The riverfront village of Ironbridge reflected in the River Severn

Museums

Not far west of the bridge is the Museum of the Gorge, north of there along a tributary of the River Severn is a whole cluster of sites including the Coracle Trust and Shed. Here you can see and learn all about coracles, the strange circular boats.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum and the adjacent Enginuity, a science museum of all ages has lots of interactive exhibits.

A little further upstream is a remaining Blast Furnace and near it Darby Houses, a pair of Victorian homes built for wealthy industrialists and their families. Among the many exhibits it is possible to dress up in period costumes.

The Iron Bridge viewed from downstream. — The Iron Bridge viewed from downstream

Coalport China Museum

Heading downstream from the Iron Bridge are a couple of large museums. The Jackfield Tile Museum is devoted to Victorian-era ceramic tiles, with hundreds of examples including mock-ups of a pub, a Tube station, and other environments where tiles were used.

The Coalport China Museum is housed in a former factory and kilns producing high-quality china. Large collection of historical pieces, as well as exhibits of the production process. There are also contemporary craftsmen and women producing work for sale.

Visitor Information Centre

The Visitor Information Centre
Museum of the Gorge
The Wharfage
Ironbridge TF8 7DQ
Tel: 01952 433424

The Iron Bridge seen from below. — The Iron Bridge seen from below

Access

Ironbridge can be reached by bus from Bridgnorth (#8), Much Wenlock (#18), Shrewsbury (#436) and Telford (#4). The 436 bus connects Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock, Ironbridge and Shrewsbury.

The three closest railway stations to Ironbridge Gorge are Telford, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton. Trains from Telford connect with Chester Station in Chester and Shrewsbury.

Wolverhampton Station has trains to Birmingham New Street, London Euston, Holyhead via Shrewsbury and Chester, Liverpool Lime Street, Shrewsbury, Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield and Manchester Piccadilly.

Shrewsbury Station has trains to Chester Station and on to Holyhead on Anglesey.

There are also trains to Aberystwyth, Birmingham New Street, Crewe, Coventry, Manchester Piccadilly Station in Manchester, Cardiff Central in Cardiff, Wolverhampton and Wrexham.

By car the town is about 50 minutes from Birmingham on the M6 and M54 motorways. From Aberystwyth take the A44. Driving time is about two hours, 20 minutes. There is a 250 space Ironbridge Park and Ride service operating from April until October.

Accommodation

Ironbridge has several recommended places to stay. Choose from the Ye Olde Robin Hood Inn, with a garden and full English breakfast, the four-star Telford Hotel & Golf Resort just outside town with a gym, spa and 18-hole golf course or the Heritage View Guest House just a 2-minute walk from the gorge.

See a listing on hotels in and near Ironbridge

A small section of the old canal that connected sites in the area with the river has been restored in Coalport. — A small section of the old canal that connected sites in the area with the river has been restored in Coalport

Nearby

15 km east of Ironbridge is the Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, one of Britain's many fine aviation museums. Cosford's collection includes both passenger aircraft, fighter planes and bombers from the UK and overseas. Among the many planes on display are an Avro Vulcan, de Havilland Mosquito TT.35, Gloster Gladiator I, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire I.

Wenlock Priory in the village of Much Wenlock dates to the 12th century. Now ruined, the priory was dissolved in 1540, with many of the buildings destroyed at the time. The site is now managed by English Heritage. The spacious grounds contain a collection of topiary.