The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge

Name: The Iron Bridge
Address: The Gorge, Ironbridge, TF8 7JP, United Kingdom

#2 among attractions in Ironbridge

Unesco, Top attraction, Bridge

Gallery (9)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0 / Roantrum / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Richard Nevell / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Helen Simonsson / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Sebastian Mierzwa / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Christine Matthews / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / KTC / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014 / URL

Facts and practical information

The Iron Bridge stands as a testament to the dawn of the industrial revolution, located in the quaint village of Ironbridge, Shropshire, England. Constructed in 1779 and opened to the public in 1781, it was the first arch bridge in the world to be made of cast iron, marking a pivotal moment in engineering and architectural history.

Spanning the River Severn with a length of 60 meters (200 feet) and a height of 30 meters (100 feet) above the river, the Iron Bridge is not only a marvel of the Industrial Age but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction was funded by local industrialists and the bridge itself was designed by architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard and built by Abraham Darby III.

As a symbol of the technological advancements of the 18th century, the Iron Bridge quickly became a symbol of progress and inspired the development of further iron structures around the world. Its iconic ribbed arch is a sight to behold and has become one of the United Kingdom's most cherished landmarks.

For tourists, the Iron Bridge and its surrounding area offer a rich historical experience. Visitors can walk across the bridge, which is now pedestrian-only, to appreciate its grandeur and the scenic views of the River Severn and the Ironbridge Gorge. The village of Ironbridge itself is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, which includes ten museums that delve into the industrial history of the region, including the Museum of Iron and Blists Hill Victorian Town.

Alternative names: Opened: 1 January 1781 (243 years ago)Coordinates: 52°37'38"N, 2°29'8"W

Address

The GorgeIronbridge TF8 7JP United Kingdom

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Ironbridge

Day trips

The Iron Bridge – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Ironbridge Gorge, Merrythought, Benthall Hall, Jackfield Tile Museum.

0.8 miE
, Nature, Natural attraction
Ironbridge Gorge, Ironbridge
20 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Shropshire, England lies Ironbridge Gorge, a testament to the Industrial Revolution and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts history enthusiasts and tourists alike. This deep and dramatic ravine was shaped by the River Severn and is...
0.4 miNW
Museum, Shopping
Merrythought, Ironbridge
10 min walk • Merrythought is a toy manufacturing company established in 1930 in the United Kingdom. The company specialises in soft toys, especially teddy bears. Merrythought has handmade traditional teddy bears in the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK since 1930.
1 miSW
Architecture, Historical place, Museum
Benthall Hall, Broseley
26 min walk • Benthall Hall is a 16th-century English country house in Benthall in the town of Broseley, Shropshire, England, and a few miles from the historic Ironbridge Gorge. It retains much of its fine oak interior, and an elaborate 17th-century staircase.
0.9 miE
Museum, Specialty museum
Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge
24 min walk • Jackfield Tile Museum is a museum which presents the history of the British decorative tile industry between 1840 and 1960, the period in which this factory and that of Maw & Co nearby played an important part in this industry.
0.9 miN
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Telford
23 min walk • The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron is one of ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums administered by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. The museum is based in the village of Coalbrookdale in the Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, England within a World Heritage Site, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
0.7 miS
Museum
Broseley Pipeworks, Broseley
18 min walk • The Broseley Pipeworks is one of ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums administered by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. The museum is based in the small town of Broseley in the Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, England within a World Heritage Site, acclaimed as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
1 miN
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Darby Houses, Telford
27 min walk • The Darby Houses museum is one of ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums administered by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. It is based in the village of Coalbrookdale in the Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, England within a World Heritage Site, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
0.8 miW
Bridge
Albert Edward Bridge, Telford
20 min walk • The Albert Edward Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, England.
~1700 ftNW
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Museum of the Gorge, Ironbridge
9 min walk • The Museum of the Gorge, originally the Severn Warehouse, is one of the ten museums of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. It portrays the history of the Ironbridge Gorge and the surrounding area of Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, England.
0.9 miN
Educational exhibits alongside a gorge
Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Ironbridge
23 min walk • The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is an industrial heritage organisation which runs ten museums and manages multiple historic sites within the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site in Shropshire, England, widely considered as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
~280 ftN
Museum, Science museum
Enginuity, Ironbridge
2 min walk • Enginuity is an interactive design and technology centre in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, England. It is the newest of the ten museums operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and was opened in 2002.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to The Iron Bridge?

Nearby attractions include Enginuity, Ironbridge (2 min walk), Museum of the Gorge, Ironbridge (9 min walk), Merrythought, Ironbridge (10 min walk), Broseley Pipeworks, Broseley (18 min walk).