Ironbridge

Ironbridge is an important historic location in Shropshire, England.

Understand
"THIS BRIDGE WAS CAST AT COALBROOK DALE AND ERECTED IN THE YEAR MDCCLXXIX"

- Ironbridge's inscription

Ironbridge Gorge is a. It is one of the "birthplaces of industry" and central to the story of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain.

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
(+44 8457 484950) in Telford is 5 miles (8 km) north of Blists Hill Victorian Town.

By bus

 * Telford Travelink (+44 1952 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 (+44 1952 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. There is no free parking in Ironbridge, though parking charges are normally reasonable.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Most of Ironbridge is overseen by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. A year-long annual pass is available which allows entry to all the museums (adult £37, child £21.50 in 2024), and is very good value for money if you intend to visit a number of them.



Buy
There is a souvenir shop in the Ironbridge Gorge near the Iron Bridge itself and an online store for distance shopping.

There is also a bookshop nearby.

Eat
Various expensive pubs and nondescript curry houses / Italian restaurants. Also a good Thai place next to the bridge.



Drink
A near-exhaustive list of pubs in the area can be found on this site.



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 are Youth Hostel Association hostels 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.

Go next
Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

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.