Ironbridge Gorge is known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Today the area is far from industrial and nature has reclaimed most of the former industrial sites, leaving a unique and beautiful wooded valley. The gorge is a now a maze of footpaths, bridleways and country lanes whilst the delightful village is famous for being home of the world’s first iron-built bridge, built between 1777-79. The village has a splendid variety of pubs, restaurants, shops and tea rooms and a collection of ten industrial and Victorian themed museums makes up the Ironbridge Museums Trust, including the exciting Blists Hill Victorian Village. Within driving distance are the popular historical towns of Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock and Ludlow, as well as the Wroxeter Roman City, the Severn valley Railway, the RAF Cosford Museum and many National Trust properties. Ironbridge is a wonderful base from which to explore the beautiful county of Shropshire.
