{"id":404,"date":"2011-08-27T05:07:02","date_gmt":"2011-08-27T05:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/?p=404"},"modified":"2011-08-24T08:59:10","modified_gmt":"2011-08-24T08:59:10","slug":"ironbridge-and-severn-gorge-shropshire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/?p=404","title":{"rendered":"Ironbridge and Severn Gorge, Shropshire"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hovering above the Severn Gorge, I stared down in fascination at sailing barges on the river, covered carts and trains of packhorses in the narrow hillside lanes, horse-drawn wagons in a huge quarry, and scenes of primitive iron-making and smelting going on in every nook and cranny.<br \/>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">window.onload = setupZoom; function popwalk(walk) {var url = \"\/Walks\/amap.php?f=\"+walk;\nvar walkwindow=window.open(url,\"walkwin\",\"height=700,width=800,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes\"); if (window.focus) {walkwindow.focus()}}<\/script>First published in: The Times <a href=\"javascript:popwalk('Ironbridge.gpx');\" rel=\"nozoom\" title=\"Click here to view a map for this walk in a new window\">Click here to view a map for this walk in a new window<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6022\/5996958241_311ec83bb3.jpg\" title='Scale model of Ironbridge as it was in early 1800s'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6022\/5996958241_311ec83bb3_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6010\/5997506034_56a614a9b9.jpg\" title='River Severn at Ironbridge'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6010\/5997506034_56a614a9b9_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6005\/5996956357_caf806b8fb.jpg\" title='Hay Inclined Plane rising behind canal'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6005\/5996956357_caf806b8fb_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a>  <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6030\/5996960771_5d1b54bb4a.jpg\" title='Iron Bridge'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6030\/5996960771_5d1b54bb4a_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6021\/5997513962_c06889273a.jpg\" title='Aesop&#039;s Fable tile at Jackfield Tile Museum'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6021\/5997513962_c06889273a_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6029\/5996966245_34b460d357.jpg\" title='Tar Tunnel'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6029\/5996966245_34b460d357_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6121\/5996968125_60d9df8b4a.jpg\" title='Bottle kiln at  Coalport China works'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6121\/5996968125_60d9df8b4a_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6011\/5996969171_83a0b89d11.jpg\" title='Coalport China works'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/farm7.static.flickr.com\/6011\/5996969171_83a0b89d11_s.jpg\" alt=\"picture\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nFacebook Link: <script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"http:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/wordpress\/?p=404\" layout=\"button_count\" show_faces=\"true\" width=\"200\" colorscheme=\"dark\"><\/fb:like><br \/>\nThis was Ironbridge around 1800 \u2013 a beautiful scale model of it, anyway, in the Museum of the Gorge, and there in the centre was the world\u2019s first cast-iron bridge itself, spanning the 2-inch wide River Severn.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s 25 years since Ironbridge was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you\u2019re going to explore the famous bridge, the Severn Gorge and the streams and mineral-rich hills that gave Ironbridge its global fame \u2013 not to mention the ten museums, housed in superbly restored warehouses and manufactories, that collectively tell the tremendous tale \u2013 there\u2019s no better way than on foot. Make sure to leave plenty of time to move round the museums, and to stop in the woods and flowery meadows along the way to ponder the extraordinary, world-shaking Industrial Revolution of which this lovely Shropshire dale was the birthplace.<\/p>\n<p>I crossed the gracefully braced bow of the Iron Bridge and followed the tree-lined railway path along the south side of the thickly wooded gorge. Jackfield Tile Museum was full of bright colours: tiled bathrooms, pub bars, floors, nurseries. At Coalport China Works I watched a woman hand-painting china with infinite skill and delicacy \u2013 not all the industries in the gorge have been consigned to history. There was a dash down the Tar Tunnel, a subterranean brick-lined passage whose walls weep natural bitumen. Then I climbed high through the woods, along the rim of the gorge and down to Coalbrookdale.<\/p>\n<p>It was Abraham Darby of Coalbrookdale, pioneer and man of vision, who made the fame and fortune of Ironbridge. Down in Coalbrookdale\u2019s Museum of Iron I stood and gazed at the very furnace in which, in the New Year of 1709, he succeeded in smelting iron with the use of coke. The cast-iron he created was cheap, strong and made of local materials, and it kick-started the Industrial Revolution.<\/p>\n<p>Within a century Darby\u2019s invention would shape and drive the world. Railway engines, boilers, saucepans, Agas, fireplaces and pokers \u2013 they all sprang from this humble brick cradle. I walked back to Ironbridge through the woods with the incredible story still thundering round my head.<\/p>\n<p>Start &#038; finish: Ironbridge Gorge long-stay car park, TF8 7DQ (OS ref SJ665037).<\/p>\n<p>Getting there:<br \/>\nTrain (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thetrainline.com\">www.thetrainline.com<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.railcard.co.uk\">www.railcard.co.uk<\/a>) to Telford<br \/>\nBus \u2013 88, 88A, 99, 99A (www.arrivabus.co.uk) from Telford<br \/>\nRoad &#8211; M52 to Telford, and follow signs to Ironbridge.<\/p>\n<p>WALK (7 \u00bd miles, moderate\/hard, OS Explorer 242):<br \/>\nRight along road to Museum of the Gorge (668036). On to cross Iron Bridge (672034). Left (\u2018Jackfield\u2019, red arrow\/RA) through car park. Severn Valley Way\/SVW to Coalford. At level crossing gates (685031) follow Tile Museum. At Museum (686029) fork left down Church Road (SVW). At Salthouses (690028) follow yellow arrows\/YAs past houses and Maws Craft Centre (691027). Left at Boat Inn across river (693025). Cross railway bridge; right down steps to Tar Tunnel. Return across railway bridge; left along canal to Coalport China Works (695024). Left along road; just before Shakespeare Inn, right (\u2018Silkin Way\u2019) onto Silkin Way. Left; in 200 m, right (695027) up steps; steeply up beside Hay Incline. At top, left on path into meadows. In 100 m, fork left to pass left of house with tall chimney. Forward to pass along hotel terrace (YA). At end of terrace, left downhill (YA) through woods for \u2153 mile to roadway (697036). Left past Blists Hill Victorian Town entrance to road. Left (\u2018Silkin Way\u2019) for \u00bc mile. Just before tunnel, bear left, then right over tunnel to cross road (693032). Path up into woods (\u2018Ironbridge via Wood\u2019). In 150 m, right up steps (\u2018Ridge Path\u2019, green South Telford Way\/STW arrows). Follow STW\/Ironbridge for \u00be mile. Beyond 2 meadows bear left downhill (682037, \u2018Wesley Road\u2019) for 250 m. Then bear right uphill (681036; \u2018Benthall View\u2019). In 100 m, left (\u2018Madeley Bank\u2019) to cross road (679038). Up Harris\u2019s Lane; keep ahead to Beech Road (677041). Left; in 100 m, right (\u2018Woodside\u2019) and follow Ironbridge Way\/IW. In 200 m, right (676042) then left (footpath fingerpost) to join road. In another 30 m, beyond bus shelter, left (677044) on tarmac path beside green. At roadway at edge of housing estate (675044) dogleg left and right; continue on gravel path across meadows (\u2018Woodlands for Health\u2019\/WFH; YA). In 100 m WFH forks right, but keep ahead with Dale Coppice on left. In 200 m path bends right; left here (671046, RA) through kissing gate, down through Dale Coppice. Ahead at path junction (\u2018Woodside CBD\u2019). Pass picnic place on left; descend steps; at foot of steps bear left (670047); in 50 m, bear left (\u2018Wellington Road\u2019) down steps to pass chapel (668046). Right to road; cross into Museum of Iron (678047).<\/p>\n<p>From Museum, back to road; right along it; in \u00bc mile, cross (670043) and go up Paradise (lane). In 50 m left up steep lane (fingerpost). In 100 m at crossing of lanes, diagonally right (fingerpost on left) on upward path, up steps; on up Lincoln Hill. At top of steps, right (671041; \u2018Ironbridge\u2019). In 200 m, fork right (669039, \u2018Ironbridge\u2019) on path, then lane downhill (RAs) to road. Right to car park.<\/p>\n<p>Conditions: Many steep steps in woods<\/p>\n<p>Refreshments: Pubs\/Caf\u00e9s in Ironbridge, Coalport<\/p>\n<p>Accommodation: Telford Hotel, Sutton Hill (01952-429977; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.qhotels.co.uk\">www.qhotels.co.uk<\/a>) \u2013 comfortable, friendly, amazing views.<\/p>\n<p>INFO: Ironbridge Gorge Museums (01952-433424; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ironbridge.org.uk\">www.ironbridge.org.uk<\/a>). Passport tickets (1 year unlimited access to 10 museums): \u00a314.75 child\/student; \u00a318.25 60+; \u00a322.50 adult; \u00a361.50 family.<\/p>\n<p>Coast Along for WaterAid, 10 September: 250 sponsored UK coast path walks to join! <a href=\"http:\/\/www.coastalongforwateraid.org\">www.coastalongforwateraid.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><FONT COLOR=\"#0000ff\"><U><A HREF=\"http:\/\/www.ramblers.org.uk\/\">www.ramblers.org.uk<\/A><\/U><\/FONT> <FONT COLOR=\"#0000ff\"><U><A HREF=\"http:\/\/www.satmap.com\/\">www.satmap.com<\/A><\/U><\/FONT> <FONT COLOR=\"#0000ff\"><U><A HREF=\"http:\/\/www.LogMyTrip.co.uk\/\">www.LogMyTrip.co.uk<\/A><\/U><\/FONT><br \/>\nClick on Facebook &#8220;Like&#8221; link to share this walk with Facebook friends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hovering above the Severn Gorge, I stared down in fascination at sailing barges on the river, covered carts and trains of packhorses in the narrow hillside lanes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-walks","category-3-id","post-seq-1","post-parity-odd","meta-position-corners","fix"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=404"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.christophersomerville.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}