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in the county of Shropshire

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About Ironbridge

This town is named for the famous bridge that spans the River Severn - the world's first Iron Bridge. Completed in 1781 it was built by Abraham Darby III to advertise his ironworks at nearby Coalbrookdale. Within a year the worth of Iron as a building material was proven. During that period, a flood had washed away all the other bridges except for this one.

It was the pioneering work of Abraham Darby's grandfather in the iron industry that earned this little town the distinction of being the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. The ironworks at Coalbrookdale saw the birth of the very first Iron wheels, Iron rails, Iron boat, Aquaduct, Iron framed buildings and the famous bridge.

Much of the industrial heritage of Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale is preserved by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. This is an enchanted valley of working museums and real history. On show are images and objects from an industrial revolution which changed forever not only the great heartland of the Midlands but many other towns and Cities throughout England, if not the World. It is Coalbrookdale that we have to thank for that which is the pride of every English country kitchen - the Aga oven, for it was here that this unique oven was first invented.

Centre of industry this area may be but there is some very pleasant countryside close-by with an abundance of public houses where a genial host will be happy to serve you with a tasty meal and a good pint of his excellent ale.

The Wrekin is a local beauty spot and Benthall Hall owned by the National Trust is well worth a visit. The mighty River Severn meanders merrily throughout this area and at times, is almost in-line with the Severn Valley Steam Railway line which runs from Kidderminster to the nearby town of Bridgenorth.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Ironbridge - a historical heritage

by Louise Simmons

Recommended attractions near Ironbridge

Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum	(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)	Pictures
Benthall Hall	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Buildwas Abbey	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Telford Wonderland	(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Wenlock Priory	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Royal Air Force Museum	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E)	Pictures
Wroxeter Roman City	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Acton Burnell Castle	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Attingham Park	(8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Weston Park	(9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Haughmond Abbey	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Wightwick Manor	(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction E)	Pictures
Shrewsbury Abbey	(12.3 miles, 19.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
The Dingle Gardens	(12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Highgate Common Country Park	(13.0 miles, 21.0 km, direction SE)	Pictures

All attractions in Ironbridge
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Recommended towns near Ironbridge

Tong, in the county of Shropshire (7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction E)
Fortunately, this attractive village was saved from the ravages of traffic by the building of the A41 By-Pass which was built around 1966.
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Acton Burnell, in the county of Shropshire (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction W)
Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
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Claverley, in the county of Shropshire (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction SE)
Claverley is surrounded by agricultural land, a short distance from delightful Bridgenorth, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Severn.
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High Ercall, in the county of Shropshire (9.9 miles, 15.8 km, direction NW)
High Ercall, or rather Arkle, as the locals pronounce it, is the very epitome of rural charm.
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Condover, in the county of Shropshire (11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction W)
A quiet and peaceful place, its pretty properties protected from the traffic that speeds down the main A49, Condover lies seemingly undisturbed by the passage of time.
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Shrewsbury, in the county of Shropshire (12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction NW)
Shrewsbury is a wonderfully atmospheric town which beguiles the visitor with sights of bygone centuries and much a great charm is to be found in its narrow streets and medieval buildings.
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Leebotwood, in the county of Shropshire (12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction W)
Charming village, lying north of Church Stretton within the shadow of the Long Mynd.
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Swindon, in the county of Staffordshire (14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction SE)
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Wolverhampton, in the county of West Midlands (15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction E)
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Grinshill, in the county of Shropshire (15.6 miles, 25.2 km, direction NW)
The picturesque village of Grinshill is spread beneath Grinshill Hill, an isolated rocky outcrop which rises above the plains of the Severn Valley.
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Little Stretton, in the county of Shropshire (16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction SW)
Little Stretton lies in a charming rural area a short distance from the old town of Church Stretton.
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Hodnet, in the county of Shropshire (16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction N)
Shropshire is a beautiful old county with a wealth of ancient and historic villages, some, like Hodnet, retain wonderful 'gems' from an old and illustrious past.
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Wolverley, in the county of Worcestershire (17.8 miles, 28.6 km, direction SE)
Wolverley is a charming village at the heart of rural Worcestershire. It was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but it is believed a settlement was there long before that.
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Stourbridge, in the county of West Midlands (18.4 miles, 29.5 km, direction SE)
Within the vast urban sprawl that surrounds Birmingham, otherwise known as the City of a Thousand Trades, lies the once great centre for crystal glassware, Stourbridge.
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Dudley, in the county of West Midlands (18.7 miles, 30.0 km, direction SE)
Dudley is a market town, it was granted its market charter in the 13th century, since then the lively outdoor market has been a focal point which has drawn regular visitors to the town.
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Nearby travel help

M54 Junction 6	(4.1 miles, 6.7 km, direction N)
Telford Central Station	(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NE)
M54 Junction 5	(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction NE)
Oakengates Station	(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction N)
Birmingham International Airport	(33.6 miles, 54.1 km, direction E)
East Midlands Airport	(50.3 miles, 81.0 km, direction E)
Ironbridge to London	(126.7 miles, 203.9 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Ironbridge

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Ironbridge center
Best Western Valley Hotel	(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)
The Old Rectory - 5 Stars Guest House	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Pheasant Inn	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction S)
Telford Hotel & Golf Club - A QHotel	(1.5 miles, 2.4 km, direction E)
Clarion Hotel Telford , Madeley Court	(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction NE)
International Hotel Telford	(3.3 miles, 5.4 km, direction NE)
Holiday Inn Telford Ironbridge	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction NE)
Hundred House Hotel	(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction NE)
Grays Hotel and Conference Centre	(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction N)
Gaskell Arms Hotel & Restaurant	(4.1 miles, 6.5 km, direction SW)
All hotels in Ironbridge