You can’t help but be in ore of Shropshire’s Victorian history and the Ironbridge Gorge
During the Industrial Revolution the area was the centre of the world, exporting ironwork, tiles and clay
WHERE does Sydney, London and New York have to thank for their iconic architecture? Answer: Telford.
Well, nearby village Ironbridge Gorge to be more specific, where in 1779 the world’s first iron bridge was built across the Severn, creating a template that’s been used ever since.
During the Industrial Revolution the area was the centre of the world, exporting ironwork, tiles and clay. But until recently the factories were a crumbling reminder of better times, with only the bridge a Unesco World Heritage site.
Then at the turn of the millennium the spaces began to be transformed into ten family-friendly museums, full of hands-on activities to teach nippers in a fun, visual way.
A family of four annual pass to all ten museums costs just £70 — a snip compared to most theme park prices. And all are within six miles of each other, with plenty of parking and public transport available.
The first stop for myself, Lily, six, and Clark, four, was Enginuity in Coalbrookdale — a design and technology centre where the kids got hands on, building bridges and an earthquake-proof house and generating electricity from water.
Then we worked up a sweat at the Museum of Iron discovering how to smelt metal, before cooling down in the pool at Telford Hotel and Golf Resort, our base for our three-day tour. Day two was the one we’d been looking forward to: Blists Hill. An entire Victorian village full of shops and volunteers living as if it were the early 1800s.
Our first stop was the bank, where the manager changed our modern money for farthings and ha’pennys. We then headed for a ride on a mine cart, where Clark was shocked to learn kids as young as five worked down the mines for 12 hours a day opening and closing doors.
Lily preferred a ride on the carousel in the fun fair, plus a go on the coconut shies and other stalls. Then it was back to school as we piled into a classroom for a very disciplined history, English and maths lesson. Lily cackled as Daddy was repeatedly called “boy” by the headmaster and told off for having his hands in his pockets.
The rest of the day was spent gobbling fish and chips (no ketchup, it’s not been invented yet), scoffing Victorian sweets and having a knees-up in a traditional pub. Blists Hill is an incredible way to see how the Victorians worked and lived, and has come in really handy for Lily’s Year Two homework.
We had just enough time to pop down the road to Coalport China Museum where the kids learned all about pottery by making their own clay models.
After a quick morning swim, our last day saw us head to Ironbridge itself, an incredibly beautiful village full of tea shops set back from the majestic bridge towering over the Severn. It’s truly one of the most beautiful spots in Britain.
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
But the kids wouldn’t let me gawp at it for too long, as we had to return to Coalport China Museum to decorate our tiles — which were promptly posted to us a few days later. Though sadly there’s not much room in the bathroom for Lily’s unicorn nor Clark’s Lego Ninjago designs.
Finally it was time to head home, and we still hadn’t managed to fit in the Tar Tunnel (only open Wednesdays), or Broseley Pipeworks and the authentic Darby Houses where you can dress up like a Victorian.
Definitely a reason to revisit, my old China.
GO: IRONBRIDGE
STAYING THERE: The Telford Hotel & Golf Resort has rooms from £72 per night for 2 adults, and family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children from £82, including breakfast.
Dinner, B&B packages from £127. Children under four stay free.
See or call 01952 429977.
OUT & ABOUT: Annual Passports to all ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums are from £26.50 adults, £20.50 seniors and £16.50 under-16s. Family tickets £70 or £50 if just one adult. Five per cent off if bought online in advance. Details on 01952 433 424 or at .