Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
Ironbridge is famous as the Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It was here that Abraham Darby perfected the technique of smelting iron using coke, making large-scale iron production possible.
Situated on the River Severn, the Iron Bridge itself was built by Abraham Darby’s grandson. The bridge officially opened on New Year’s Day in 1781.
Ironbridge forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering the Ironbridge Gorge area, and is now a major tourist attraction. The Iron Bridge crosses the River Severn at Ironbridge Gorge in the village of Ironbridge and was the world’s first arched bridge made entirely of cast iron, made possible by Darby’s innovations and the nearby blast furnaces at Coalbrookdale.
Before the bridge was built, the only way to cross the river was by ferry. The construction of the bridge allowed industries in Coalbrookdale and Broseley to transport goods far more efficiently. Although the bridge once carried vehicular traffic, it is now used exclusively by pedestrians. Major restoration work was carried out in 2000 to preserve this historic structure.
Ironbridge is also home to a remarkable collection of historic sites managed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, a charity established in 1967 to preserve the heritage of the Industrial Revolution in the Ironbridge Gorge.
The Ten Museum Sites Are:
- Blists Hill Victorian Town (including the Hay Inclined Plane)
- Broseley Pipeworks
- Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron
- Coalport China Museum
- Coalport Tar Tunnel
- Darby Houses
- Enginuity
- Iron Bridge and Tollhouse
- Jackfield Tile Museum
- Museum of the Gorge
Further information can be found at:
www.ironbridge.org.uk
Leave a Reply