18 Fun Things to Do in Ironbridge, Shropshire

LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN IRONBRIDGE?

Ironbridge is one of England’s most fascinating historical destinations, and for good reason! This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shropshire is where the Industrial Revolution sparked into life, transforming not just Britain but the whole world.

Growing up in nearby Wolverhampton has meant I’ve taken many an opportunity to drive down and explore every corner of this remarkable place, and I’m excited to share my insider tips for making the most of your visit.

Whether you’re searching for things to do in Ironbridge over the school holidays or planning a longer stay, this guide covers everything from popular attractions to unusual things to do in Ironbridge. The best part? Many of its attractions are surprisingly affordable or even free.

1. Visit The Iron Bridge

Let’s start with the star of the show – the magnificent Iron Bridge itself. Built in 1779, this engineering marvel was the world’s first major bridge made entirely of iron, its one of the wonders of the modern world, and it’s still standing proud today.

After a £3.6 million restoration project, the cast iron masterpiece is looking better than ever in its original reddish-brown colour. Often packed with tourists from around the globe, posing mid-crossing and taking snaps, its easy to see why.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site’s famous landmark sparked the birth of the world-changing Industrial Revolution; there was no other bridge as large as this – let alone made of iron – anywhere in the world.

Walking across the bridge is completely free, and the views up and down the Severn Gorge are absolutely stunning.

→ Visit at sunset when the light hits the iron perfectly, creating magical photo opportunities. The bridge is particularly beautiful during golden hour, and you’ll often spot photographers setting up their tripods for the perfect shot.

If visiting by car, I recommend using the car park in front of D’arcy’s at the Station hotel, which leads you directly onto the Iron Bridge (and then to Ironbridge town, best explored on foot).

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Hodge Bower, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7JP
Opening times: 24/7

→ Related post: Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Shropshire

Explore Ironbridge Town

The town of Ironbridge is just as charming as its famous bridge. The historic high street winds along the river, filled with independent shops, traditional pubs, and cafes housed in gorgeous Georgian buildings.

The Coracle Micropub

This tiny pub is a local favourite, serving up an ever-changing selection of real ales and craft beers. Named after the traditional Severn Gorge fishing boats, it’s got bags of character and friendly staff who really know their beer.

This micropub also puts on food platters that go well with the craft beer tasting selections. The popularity and reviews of the Coracle have made it one of the best places to eat and drink in Ironbridge.

→ For the best pubs in Ironbridge, head to the west side of the river. You’ll find traditional locals’ haunts like The White Hart, which has fantastic views over the gorge.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: 27 High St, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7AD
Opening times: Fri – Sat 12pm to 10:30pm, Sun – Thu 12pm to 10pm

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Take a Walking Tour of Ironbridge

The best way to discover the town’s hidden corners is on foot. Free walking tours run regularly from the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre, taking you through the town’s fascinating history and pointing out details you might otherwise miss.

Moonshine and Fuggles

This quirky gin palace and cocktail bar is housed in a beautiful 18th-century building. They stock over 100 different gins and create amazing cocktails using local ingredients. It’s perfect for a sophisticated evening out.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: 6 The Square, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7AQ
Opening times: Mon – Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 4:30pm

Nettie of the Gorge Floral Studio

This gorgeous flower shop is worth visiting just for the window displays. They create beautiful seasonal arrangements and offer workshops if you fancy trying your hand at floristry.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Three Tuns House, 31 High St, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7AD
Opening times: Fri – Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 10am to 2pm (closed Mon – Thur)

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The Official Merrythought Teddy Bear Shop

Merrythought has been making traditional teddy bears in Ironbridge since 1930. Their shop is absolutely magical – even if you’re not buying, it’s worth popping in just to see the amazing collection of handmade bears.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Teddy Bear Shop, Merrythought, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7NJ
Opening times: Mon – Fri 11am to 4pm, Sat – Sun 10am to 4pm

The Little Christmas Shop and Mrs Claus’ Kitchen

Christmas all year round! This enchanting shop is filled with decorations, gifts, and festive treats. The attached Mrs Claus’ Kitchen serves incredible hot chocolate and homemade cakes.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: 33 High St, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7AG
Opening times: Thur – Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 4pm, Mon 10am to 5pm (closed Tue and Wed)

→ Further reading: Royal Market Towns of Shropshire [Insider Guide]

Discover the Ironbridge Gorge Museums

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are a collection of ten fascinating museums spread throughout the gorge. While you might not manage them all in one visit, each offers a unique perspective on the area’s industrial heritage, and make for superb family days out.

Blists Hill Victorian Town

Also known as the Ironbridge village, Blists Hill is the jewel in the crown of the Ironbridge museums.

It’s a recreated Victorian town where you can change your modern money for old pennies and farthings to spend in the traditional shops. Overlooking beautiful countryside in the Ironbridge area, Blists Hill delivers the closest experience of Queen Victoria’s England you can find anywhere (other than the Black Country Museum).

Witness steam trains chugging along past operational smelting furnaces and coal mines, see horse-pulled carts on cobbled streets and enter authentic Victorian buildings such as the old sweet shop, pharmacy, and a traditional fish and chip shop where you can order a traditonal british fish and chip meal (cooked in lard) wrapped in newspaper, just like back then!

The costumed demonstrators are brilliant too – don’t miss the baker, the candlemaker, and the blacksmith at work.

Location: Blists Hill (Google Maps)
Address: Blists Hill, Legges Way, Telford TF7 5UD
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm

Museum of The Gorge

Start your museum journey here to get an overview of the area’s history. The highlight is a 12-metre long model showing how the gorge looked in 1796. It’s fascinating to compare it with today’s landscape.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: The, 32 Wharfage, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7NH
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm

→ Related post: Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Shropshire

Enginuity (Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron)

With a name like Enginuity – a play on Engine and ingenuity (the quality of being clever original, and inventive) you know this is gonna be a fascinating and worthwhile place to visit.

Perfect for kids and curious adults alike, this hands-on design and technology centre lets you test your engineering skills. Here you can launch a hot air balloon, generate electricity, and build an earthquake-proof tower.

Enginuity is at the same location as Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, which is another worthy museum to check out while you’re here.

In fact, I recommend this museum as its home to the world’s first ever coke smelting blast furnace that completely changed the world, demonstrated by Abraham Darby III for the first time right here in 1709.

And the best part? The blast furnace is still fully intact and operational – meaning you can see this legendary piece of history in action at the Coalbrookdale Ironworks!

Location: Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron (Google Maps)
Address: 10 Wellington Rd, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DX
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum

This museum tells the story of how Ironbridge became the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The interactive displays bring the history to life, and the views from the museum are spectacular.

→ Further reading: Fun Family-Friendly Things to Do in Telford

Bedlam Furnaces

These impressive ruins are the remains of two 18th-century blast furnaces used for smelting iron. They’re particularly atmospheric at dusk, and you can walk around them for free.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Severn Way, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7QY
Opening times: 24/7

Coalport China Museum

Set in the original, picturesque factory buildings, this museum showcases the finest examples of Coalport china. The demonstrations of traditional techniques are fascinating.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: High St, Telford TF8 7HT
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm

Coalport China recently won the Northumberland Vase at auction, one of the largest pieces ever produced by the Coalport China Company, for £14,000.

Originally made here in the mid 19th century, it was created as an exhibition piece at the 1862 International Exhibition in London demonstrating the superior quality of the company’s ornamental china, before being purchased by the Duke of Northumberland and housed in Alnwick Castle.

Following a successful fundraising campaign, the iconic piece has been returned back to where it was made – here at Coalport China, on display for all to see.

★ Rainy Day Hack: If the weather is poor, head indoors at Coalport China Museum and take a ceramics painting class to create your own souvenir.

Tar Tunnel

A slightly spooky but fascinating piece of industrial heritage, the aptly-named Tar Tunnel is an underground tunnel that still has tar oozing from its walls.

The tunnel came about in 1786 when Quaker ironmaster William Reynolds tried to connect the mines of Blists Hill with the River Severn, by tunnelling horizontally through the hill from Coalport. In doing so he discovered a natural source of bitumen which may today be seen at the Tar Tunnel.

It’s currently closed for maintenance, but worth checking if it’s reopened during your visit.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: High St, Telford TF8 7HT
Opening times: Temporarily closed

→ More Shropshire Guides:
Wem, Shropshire [Insider’s Guide]
Whitchurch: Shropshire’s Oldest Town
Shropshire County Maps (Free PDF Downloads)
Shifnal: Shropshire’s Underrated Town
Guide to The Wrekin: Shropshire’s Tallest Peak

Jackfield Tile Museum

Housed in a Victorian tile factory, this prestigious museum showcases some of Britain’s most beautiful decorative tiles, including those used in London tube stations. The recreated rooms showing how tiles were used in Victorian life are incredible.

The Jackfield Tile Museum is notable for the Victorian tube lining technique – originating in the Victorian era, the tiles were created using a technique where raised lines of liquid clay was applied to the tile surface, resulting in intricate designs that were filled with colourful glazes.

Here you’ll learn about the various pioneering tile creation techniques and see examples of tiles that were used in the tube station tunnels of many of London’s underground stations.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Salthouse Rd, Telford TF8 7LJ
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm

Broseley Pipeworks

This perfectly preserved tobacco pipe factory offers a unique glimpse into a very specific aspect of industrial history. It’s exactly as it was when the workers walked out for the last time in 1957.

The pipeworks is located in nearby Broseley another important industrial town and home to Broseley China, one of the earliest china-makers alongside Coalport China. The town is connected to Coalport by the Coalport Bridge over the River Severn – an almost identical yet smaller version of the Iron Bridge.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Duke St, Broseley TF12 5LX
Opening times: 2nd-29th Sept: Thurs and Sat only, 10am-4pm (tours at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3pm).

→ Related: Broseley, Shropshire: Insider’s Guide

Go Hiking or Cycling around the Gorge

The Ironbridge Gorge is perfect for outdoor adventures. The Silkin Way and other local trails offer routes for all abilities, from gentle riverside strolls to challenging hikes. Bring your dog along – there are plenty of pet-friendly paths and pubs in the area.

→ For a unique perspective, join a guided bat walk along the River Severn in the summer months. You’ll be able to spot these fascinating creatures flitting through the twilight.

Visit Historic Houses Near Ironbridge

The Darby Houses

No visit to Ironbridge is complete without exploring the historic homes of the Darby family, the pioneering ironmasters who helped drive the Industrial Revolution in this region.

A group of three properties, the Darby Houses provide a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century life. Abraham Darby I’s cottage is a cosy time capsule, while the Quaker Meeting House next door offers insight into the family’s religious beliefs.

Just down the road, Rosehill House showcases the grandeur enjoyed by the Darby dynasty in their heyday.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: 30 Darby Rd, Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7EW
Opening times: From 12noon on the following Sundays:
31 March, 28 April, 26 May, 30 June, 28 July, 25 August & 29 September

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Benthall Hall

Just a 10 minute drive from Ironbridge, Benthall Hall is a magnificent 16th-century manor house managed by the National Trust.

Its beautiful gardens and rich history make it one of the most interesting places to visit near Ironbridge. The hall’s elevated position offers stunning views across the Severn Valley.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Benthall Hall, The Avenue, Broseley TF12 5RX
Opening times: Sat – Wed: 12:30pm to 5:30pm (Thu – Fri closed)

Paddleboarding and Rafting under the Iron Bridge

For a truly unique perspective on the Iron Bridge, get out on the River Severn with Shropshire Raft Tours. Their guided paddleboarding and rafting experiences allow you to float directly under the famous structure, giving you an awe-inspiring view of its sheer scale.

It’s an exhilarating way to immerse yourself in Ironbridge’s industrial heritage.

My advice? Book early, as these tours tend to sell out, especially during peak season. And don’t forget to bring a waterproof camera to capture the unforgettable vistas.

Location: (Google Maps)
Address: Coalport Rd, Ironbridge, Telford TF8 7HZ
Opening times: Daily from 9am to 9pm

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Go on a Boat Trip on the River Severn

If paddleboarding sounds too adventurous, regular boat trips run along the River Severn. These relaxing journeys are perfect for seeing the gorge from water level and learning about its history from knowledgeable local guides.

→ Read: What to Do in Wolverhampton with Kids

Attend Events and Festivals around Ironbridge

Ironbridge hosts events throughout the year, from food festivals to Christmas markets. The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival in September is particularly special, with street entertainment, markets, living history demonstrations, food stalls, and live music.

More Places to Eat in Ironbridge

Ironbridge’s food scene is thriving, with options ranging from traditional pubs to modern cafes. Here are some local favorites:

• The White Hart (riverside pub with fantastic views)
• Dale End Cafe (great for cyclists and hikers)
• Suree’s Kitchen (Thai restaurant overlooking the Iron Bridge)
• Swan Taphouse (18th century malthouse riverside pub)

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