Ironbridge Valley of Invention

Take the family to visit the Ironbridge Gorge, awarded World Heritage status in 1986 in recognition of the area’s contribution to the birth of the Industrial Revolution. It is one of the great family days out in Shropshire with ten award-winning museums. So take the kids to discover these popular attractions on sites in the picturesque landscape where Abraham Darby constructed the first cast-iron bridge in 1779.

Educational and fun, the Ironbridge Gorge Museums are full of family things to do, see and learn. First, visit the Museum of The Gorge with its huge model of the valley as it looked in 1796 and displays explaining the river’s role in the area’s development.

Then step back to the past at the recreated Victorian town of Blists Hill and meet Victorian characters to bring history alive. Next visit Broseley Pipeworks to find out how clay tobacco pipes were made or learn about the early iron industry at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron.

See beautiful china and explore the children’s gallery with puzzles at Coalport China Factory. Also visit the Darby Houses to glimpse what life was like for the ironmasters.

Meanwhile, Enginuity, the interactive design and technology centre, is brimming with exciting activities for future scientists and engineers. For instance, where else can you control a river to generate electricity or x-ray everyday objects?

Also admire fabulous decorative tiles at Jackfield Tile Museum and join a school holiday workshop to try designing your own. Kids will be thrilled to put on a hard hat and venture down the Tar Tunnel with bitumen oozing through the walls.

Finally, make sure you allow time to take a walk across the Iron Bridge itself and pop into the Tollhouse afterwards.

Admission prices vary for individual attractions. Ticket options include a passport ticket which allows entry to all ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums and is valid for 12 months.

Please see Ironbridge’s website to find out more before travelling.