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• Introduction
• Discover Ironbridge Gorge
• Great Hotel Deals
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Why not have a break away in the English countryside and pay a visit to the Ironbridge Gorge, which is easy to access, only 5 miles south of the new town of Telford, famous for its outstanding shopping facilities.

This is a unique and fascinating area of Britain, with historic and interesting attractions, picturesque villages and (weather permitting) good walking country.

We've been listening to your feedback - so we're now offering a much larger choice of hotel deals in each issue - yet the prices are as good as ever!

Quenton Fyfe
Editor

Ironbridge Gorge was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986, one of only twenty-four in the UK. Situated in beautiful Shropshire, on the River Severn, the birthplace of the industrial revolution.

It is difficult to imagine that this quiet wooded valley was once one of the world's great iron making centres. In 1709 Abraham Darby pioneered the use of coke to smelt iron; a cheaper method than the earlier use of charcoal, and from this began the great British engineering industry.

Today key historic sites are preserved in a museum complex, spread along the river valley, spanned by the world's first Iron Bridge, built by Abraham's grandson Abraham III in 1779.

In the valley of invention there are no less than ten museums, all within an area of only six square miles. At weekends and bank holiday Mondays, visitors to Ironbridge can take advantage of a shuttle bus which runs from Telford rail station to all Ironbridge Museums. If you plan to visit during the week you will need your own transport.

The following museums are open during the winter months:

The Museum of the Gorge lies close to the Iron Bridge and the Toll House, a good place to start your tour. Here you will gain an insight into the history of the area.

Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron is home to the original Darby furnace used to smelt iron. Learn about the amazing innovations and beautiful iron products of the Coalbrookdale Company.

Coalport China Museum, situated within the restored Coalport China works, displays the Caughly and Coalport National Collections. There is a children's gallery and demonstration workshops.

Blists Hill Victorian Town was created on the banks of the Shropshire Canal. It includes shops, a working foundry, a pub and tea room. Costumed staff welcome you and give an insight into Victorian life.

Enginuity, the newest museum in the complex opened in 2002. A dynamic, interactive design and technology centre, which allows you to experiment, find out how things work and will inspire you to become apprentice engineers for the day.

We are sure you will enjoy your visit, and want to return to see the museums which open later in the season. A passport ticket is a good buy, as it has no time limit and allows you to explore museums you missed on your first time around.

All the attractions mentioned (apart from Blists Hill) are indoors, making Ironbridge a great place to visit even if the weather is inclement.

We have a selection of 15 hotels near Ironbridge Gorge, so you're spoilt for choice of a fantastic place to stay.

London - City Inn Westminster The City Inn Westminster is a four star deluxe hotel with impressive and well appointed bedrooms: All rooms feature fresh air conditioning, flat screen television, DVD and CD players with complimentary disc library, free Broadband Internet connection, minibars, personal safes and power showers. The hotel is ideally placed for the Tate museums, Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Saatchi collection, Buckingham Palace and is only a short distance from Theatre Land. Was £89.50 - Now £ 49.50 (until 29 Feb 04) £ 59.50 (1 Mar - 30 Apr 04)

Edinburgh - Novotel Novotel Edinburgh is "a new generation" Novotel hotel featuring stylish, contemporary design and great facilities including an indoor pool. The hotel is located in the heart of the city on Lauriston Place, minutes from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Midweek Deal: was £61.50 - Now £35.00 (until 31 Mar 04) Weekend Deal: was £39.50 - Now £35.00 (until 31 Mar 04)

Birmingham - Marriott: was £59.00, now £47.00
valid for stays until 30 Apr 04. Saturday 1 night stay supplement £10 per person.

Edinburgh - Marriott Dalmahoy: was £55.00 now £39.00
valid for stays until 31 Mar 04. Weekend deal - minimum 3 night stay.

Glasgow - Moat House: was £65.00 now £47.00
valid for stays until 30 Apr 04.

Leeds - Malmaison: was £50.00 now £45.00
valid for stays until 12 Apr 04.

London - Novotel London West: