Ironbridge Gorge Museums

Ironbridge
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7DQ

Tel: Information +44 (0)1952 884 391
Administration +44 (0)1952 435 900
Fax: +44 (0)1952 884 391
Email: tic@ironbridge.org.uk
Web: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/

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This is the valley that changed our world, this is where the Industrial Revolution began. Smoke once filled the fiery sky, sulphurous fumes rose from furnaces, tumult issued from forges and foundry - this was once the workshop of the world. Today, it's a deeply wooded, tranquil and beautiful valley, full of museums and monuments of supreme historic importance. A World Heritage Site - just waiting to be discovered by you.

Museums

  • The Museum of Iron, Darby Furnace and Darby Houses: all within a landscape largely unchanged since the eighteenth century. See where the Darby Ironmasters and their families lived and worked in painstakingly restored eighteenth century homes. Here the Industrial Revolution was born. The first iron railway tracks, iron railway wheels and iron bridge and the first steam railway locomotive were all made here.

  • Museum of the Gorge: marvel at the worlds first great Iron Bridge cast in 1779 by Abraham Darby III. The Bridge spans the River Severn, you can visit its original Tollhouse.

  • Coalport China Museum: some of the world's most beautiful porcelain was once made on the banks of the River Severn. The Museum is situated in the remains of the old works. Also on site are demonstration workshops, shop, restaurant and a Youth Hostel.

  • Tar Tunnel: don a hard hat and walk underground in the tunnel and see an amazing source of natural bitumen discovered 200 years ago.

  • Blists Hill Victorian Town: a complete working Victorian Town. Enter a different world filled with Victorian characters in costume going about their daily life. Fascinating for visitors of all ages, the 52 acre site is a bustling recreation of a Victorian town and uses token pounds, shillings and pence for its transactions. Discover what life was like for a Victorian housewife in the cottages and in the main season have fun at the fairground and enjoy a journey on a horse and cart.

  • Broseley Pipeworks: situated a short distance from Ironbridge in Brosely is this preserved time capsule of this ancient local industry.

  • Enginuity: The latest of the the Ironbridge sites, this hands-on interactive centre allows you to become an apprentice engineer and experiment with the gadgets and know-how used to make every-day objects.



    Further Information:

  • For disabled access information please telephone
  • As the Museums are spread out over the valley, travel between them using your own transport, and allow at least a day to enjoy your visit

  • Park in all of the Museum car parks for just a single small charge. Ticket does not include Museum of The Gorge and Ironbridge pay & display car parks where local authority charges apply.



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    Opening Times
    (2009 times)
    7 days a week 10.00am-5.00pm.
    Some museums close November – March (inclusive), please telephone for details in winter.
    Broseley Pipeworks 1.00pm -5.00pm during the main season only.Closed 24-25 December and New Years Day.
    Tourist Information Centre open from 9.00am (weekdays), 10.00am (weekends).

    Admission Charges
    (2009 prices)
    A Passport Ticket allows repeat admission to all ten museums and you can come back as often as you like for a whole year.

    Adult £19.95; Senior Citizen £15.95; Child £12.95; Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) £54.90.

    Directions
    Take J4 from the M54 and follow the brown signs for the Ironbridge Gorge. The 10 museums are in an area of about 6sq miles and you will need transport to travel between them. There are three routes into the Ironbridge Gorge. Take one of the following:for Blists Hill Victorian Town, Coalport China Museum & Tar Tunnel follow 'Blists Hill Museums';for The Iron Bridge & Tollhouse, Museum of The Gorge, Jackfield Tile Museum and Broseley Pipeworks follow 'Ironbridge Museums';for Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Darby Houses and Enginuity follow 'Coalbrookdale Museums'.
    Show map of Ironbridge Gorge Museums...

    Ironbridge Gorge Museums Postcode for SatNav: TF8 7DQ

    Nearby Attractions
    Iron Bridge (< 1 Mile)*
    This, the world's first iron bridge was cast by local ironmaster Abraham Darby and erected over the River Seven in 1779.
    Buildwas Abbey (1 Mile)*
    Set beside the River Severn, against a backdrop of wooded gardens, are the remains of this Cistercian abbey.
    Wenlock Priory (4 Miles)*
    Wenlock Priory with its striking clipped topiary has a pastoral setting on the edge of lovely Much Wenlock.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Hotels
    Best Western Valley Hotel (< 1 Mile)*
    In the stunning Ironbridge Gorge, on the banks of the River Severn, this beautifully preserved Georgian country house offers luxurious accommodation, free Wi-Fi and an award-winning restaurant.
    Madeley Court Hotel (1 Mile)*
    Skilfully transformed from a 16th century manor house into a premier country hotel, the Madeley Court Hotel (formerly known as Clarion Hotel Telford) gives you a unique opportunity to appreciate the splendour and architectural history of medieval resid...
    Telford Golf and Spa Hotel - A QHotel (2 Miles)*
    Overlooking the splendour of the Ironbridge Gorge and its historic bridge, this hotel has its own 18-hole par 72 championship golf course together with the magnificent Leisure Club and Spa.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

    Nearby Self Catering
    Eleys of Ironbridge (< 1 Mile)*
    In our holiday cottages and self catering accommodation we provide quality, comfort and value for money for your stay in Ironbridge , Shropshire top tourist location. We have a number of properties sleeping 2 to 6 persons.
    Arden House (14 Miles)*
    Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this elegant detached property is ideal for large families or extended family holidays. Recently renovated, the property is light and spacious.
    The Cowshed Near Ludlow (17 Miles)*
    Welcome to the Cow Shed, a recently converted luxury holiday cottage on the Bitterley Court Estate, just four miles outside Ludlow. This former milking barn has been converted into a high quality holiday cottage.
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    Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
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    * Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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