Ironbridge Gorge Museums

This is the valley that changed our world. Can you believe that only two centuries ago it was filled with the sounds and smells of early industry? For this is where the Industrial Revolution began. Smoke once filled the fiery sky, sulphurous fumes rose from furnaces, tumult issued from forges and deep tunnels threaded through the coal seams - this was once the workshop of the world

Today, a deeply wooded, tranquil and beautiful valley is full of museums and monuments of supreme historic importance.
A World Heritage Site - just waiting to be discovered by you

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums are spread out over the valley. You should allow at least a day to vist them all.
The Passport Ticket represents outstanding value and substantial savings - for details view next page

Across the river from Coalport, at jackfield, are kaleidoscopic displays of colourful decorative tiles and ceramics, including modern tile making and a tempting shop.

Here too is 'The Great Rock Sandwich' exhibition, explaining what lies under our feet.

Visit the Museum of Iron, Darby Furnace and Darby Houses - all within a landscape largely unchanged since the eighteenth century. See where the Darby ironmasters and their families lived and worked in painstakingly restored eighteenth century homes.

Here the Industrial Revolution was born. The first iron railway tracks, the first iron railway wheels, first iron bridge and the first steam railway locomotive, were all made here.

Begin your journey through time at the Ironbridge Visitor Centre and in the Ironbridge village, marvel at the world's first great Iron Bridge. Cast in 1779 by Abraham Darby III, it spans the River Severn, and you can visit its original Tollhouse.