Things to Do in Ironbridge Gorge

Walking across the Iron Bridge costs nothing, and the views from its span — and from the riverbank below — are the classic picture of the Gorge.

Further afield, Buildwas Abbey's 12th-century Cistercian ruins stand beside the Severn with free entry, while Bedlam Furnaces, the Bower Yard lime kilns and the Coalport and Jackfield Memorial Bridge can all be explored on foot. In Coalport, the Hay Inclined Plane and the canal-side bottle kilns are visible from the public path.

The Gorge museums are moving to National Trust management, so several sites are shut for now. Here is where things stand in our listings — always check the operator's website before travelling.

• The Iron Bridge & Tollhouse · Ironbridge

  The world's first cast-iron bridge, opened to traffic in 1781, with a small Tollhouse exhibition.

  Open

• Blists Hill Victorian Town · Madeley, above Coalport

  A recreated Victorian town with shops, workshops and costumed demonstrators.

  Open

• Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron & The Old Furnace · Coalbrookdale

  Abraham Darby I's furnace, where coke-smelting of iron was perfected.

  Open

• Jackfield Tile Museum · Jackfield

  Decorative tiles in the former Craven Dunnill works.

  Open

• Enginuity · Coalbrookdale

  Hands-on science and engineering centre.

  Currently closed

• Coalport China Museum · Coalport

  The former Coalport China Works and its bottle kilns.

  Currently closed

• The Tar Tunnel · Coalport

  A 1786 tunnel where natural bitumen seeped from the walls.

  Currently closed

• Darby Houses · Coalbrookdale

  Rosehill House and Dale House, homes of the Darby family.

  Currently closed

• Museum of the Gorge · The Wharfage, Ironbridge

  The Gothic former Severn Warehouse beside the river.

  Check before visiting

Statuses come straight from our Museums & Attractions listings, where you will find opening days, prices and booking details.

Riverside paths link Ironbridge, Jackfield and Coalport, and woodland climbs lead up to viewpoints above the Gorge. Coalbrookdale's wooded valleys and the slopes around Benthall make for quieter rambles.

Our walks guide has routes for every level, including a free weekly group walk from Coalbrookdale.

Blists Hill Victorian Town is the obvious family favourite while open, and the riverside paths and parks suit little legs. Seasonal craft workshops, trails and children's events run across the Gorge — see the event listings for the latest.

When the weather turns, head indoors: the open museums, the studios and workshops at Maws Craft Centre in Jackfield, galleries in Ironbridge, or a long lunch in one of the Gorge's pubs and tea rooms.

Dogs on leads are welcome at Buildwas Abbey, and the riverside and woodland walks are ideal for a long stroll. Our dog-friendly guide lists pubs, cafés, stays and treats that welcome four-legged visitors.

Ironbridge High Street and The Wharfage are lined with independent shops — antiques, books, gifts and local food — and Maws Craft Centre in Jackfield gathers makers' studios in a former tile works.

Historic pubs, tea rooms and cafés are spread from Coalbrookdale to Coalport, many with live music. Our food guide carries opening times, menus and dietary notes, kept up to date.

1. Morning — Coalbrookdale. Start where it all began at the Museum of Iron and the Old Furnace, then walk down the valley towards the river.
2. Late morning — the Iron Bridge. Cross the bridge, visit the Tollhouse and browse the shops on the High Street and The Wharfage.
3. Lunch — Ironbridge town. Pick a pub or tea room from our food guide.
4. Afternoon — downriver. Follow the riverside path to Jackfield for Maws Craft Centre, cross the Memorial Bridge, and see the Coalport kilns and Hay Inclined Plane — or spend the afternoon at Blists Hill.
5. Evening. Check this week's listings for live music or an event before heading home — or stay the night.

Check each museum's status above before setting off.