Ironbridge Gorge

A World Heritage Site and the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution, the Ironbridge Gorge is home to some amazing museums that make for an unforgettable experience.

England

Ironbridge Gorge

Ironbridge is known throughout the world as the symbol of the Industrial Revolution. It contains all the elements of progress that contributed to the rapid development of this industrial region in the 18th century, from the mines themselves to the railway lines. Nearby, the blast furnace of Coalbrookdale, built in 1708, is a reminder of the discovery of coke. The bridge at Ironbridge, the world’s first bridge constructed of iron, had a considerable influence on developments in the fields of technology and architecture.

#ironbridgegorgeworldheritagesite

#ironbridgegorgewhs

#industrialwhs

#industrialworldheritagesite

Official website

Did you know..?

The bridge which gave the Gorge its name remained in full use for over 150 years, by ever-increasing traffic. But in 1934 it was finally closed to vehicles and was designated an Ancient Monument.

The Ironbridge, which formally opened on New Year’s Day 1781, used a total of 378 tons of iron at a cost of around £6,000 – significantly more than the £3,200 first estimated.

The bridge wasn’t designed by Telford or Brunel. The man responsible for the design of the Iron Bridge was a Shrewsbury architect called Thomas Farnolls Pritchard. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/iron-bridge/7-things-you-didnt-know/

Stats

Location: Shropshire, England

Country: United Kingdom

Year of Inscription: 1986

UNESCO Criteria: (i), (ii), (iv), (vi)

Contact information:

For more information about Ironbridge Gorge, visit the website or contact visitor information on 44 (0) 1952 43342

by James Homans on Unsplash