Pictures of Ironbridge

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.

Related Articles

Ironbridge - a historical heritage

by Louise Simmons

Other nearby recommended towns & villages..

Acton Burnell (16 Pictures)

in the county of Shropshire

(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction W of Ironbridge)

Interestingly, Acton Burnell has connections with America that go back to the stirring days of the Declaration of Independence in 1776...

Shrewsbury (269 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of Shropshire

(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction NW of Ironbridge)

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...

Church Stretton (51 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of Shropshire

(14.9 miles, 23.9 km, direction SW of Ironbridge)

Church Stretton is an historic market town in the South Shropshire hills, and the only town in the Shropshire hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - one of Britain's fiinest.....

Wolverhampton (38 Pictures)

in the county of West Midlands

(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction E of Ironbridge)

..

Little Stretton (4 Pictures)

in the county of Shropshire

(16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction SW of Ironbridge)

Little Stretton lies in a charming rural area a short distance from the old town of Church Stretton...

All towns in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby attractions..

Blists Hill Victorian Town Museum (137 Pictures)

(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)

Blists Hill VICTORIAN TOWN is one of the largest Open Air Museums in Britain. A small Victorian town has been created above 30.....

Benthall Hall (7 Pictures)

(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction SW)

This is a beautiful stone-built house of the 16th-century which is set on a rise above the wooded slopes of the meandering River.....

Wenlock Priory (28 Pictures)

(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction SW)

..

Royal Air Force Museum (39 Pictures)

(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E)

..

Wroxeter Roman City (9 Pictures)

(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW)

Wroxeter Roman City lies about 5 miles south-east of Shrewsbury, here lies the remains of what was the fourth largest town in.....

Acton Burnell Castle (4 Pictures)

(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction W)

Although crenulated, the spectacular red sandstone ruins of Acton Burnell speak more of a grandiose place of comfort rather than.....

Attingham Park (25 Pictures)

(8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction NW)

An elegant 18th century mansion with regancy interiors and deer park, Attingham Park is of the great houses of the.....

All attractions in Ironbridge
All attractions in Shropshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England