Ironbridge- what a wonderful place of history (Ironbridge)

Member Name: mummy2twogirls

Product:	Ironbridge
Date:	03/12/08 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: getting to capture victorian histroy

Disadvantages: none

Ironbridge is a small historical town, set within Telford Shropshire, and plays host to the world first ever 'Bridge made from iron' hence it's name. The bridge was named the Ironbridge and from there the town surrounding it took its name from that. The bridge was built by Thomas Telford back in 1779 and stands at 100ft high. Underneath the bridge the runs the famous river seven.

Shropshire is sometimes known as being the birth place of heavy industry, and the Ironbridge is to thank for this, because since it was built many famous people like Abraham Derby and Thomas Telford have used Ironbridge and Shropshire as their pallet for new ideas. With things like church's, bridges, stunning houses, and railways lines, making Shropshire famous for it's ironworks.

A trip to Ironbridge is thoroughly recommended if it's your type of scene. I have visited numerous times now and find the spectrum of the whole place amazing. Within this small town, it boasts so much history and knowledge, and it gives you a real insight into what working life was like in Victorian times.

I remember my first ever visit was with school, I was about 10 years old, and we spent the whole day there, exploring different museums, shops, working farms, studying the Ironbridge etc. Since then I have been back to explore its beauty even further.

==Attractions and places to visit==

Blists hill Victorian museum-

Blists hill is known as an open air museum, and was first opened back in 1979. It's main focus it to highlight how people lived back in the Victorian times. There are many different buildings to explore and artefacts to see, that showed what life was like. They have people dress up in clothing that would have been worn back then, and rein act daily life- simple things like school, shopping, washing clothes etc. It also consists of coal, iron and clay mines which today are still there. This museum seems to be popular with school children, as it gives them chance to experience what life was like, they also have chance to take part in the daily activities and have chance to see what schooling was like.

Enginuity museum-

This is more of a recent museum that was built a few years back; it was built to give people a more modern insight the history of Ironbridge. Inside the museum there are many different activities that are hands on and give people chance to get involved with the different things to do.

Coalport China Museum-

Is a chance to see the national collection of coalport and Caughley china, in the famous old coalport works. Wander round and see magnificent pieces of china that hold so much history. Visitors will also have chance to see demonstrations of how the ceramics are made and will also have chance to decorate their own pieces to take home with them.
In all Ironbridge is made up of ten different museums all holding different pieces of history relating to the town. Christmas time within Ironbridge also proves to be very popular because they hold Victorian the villagers entertain visitors with seasonal music, festive food, and Victorian markets.

To look at Ironbridge is a very beautiful and peaceful place; there are many guest houses, pubs, and gift shops which makes this such a special place to visit, as there's something for everyone. I really enjoy going here to capture a little piece of history now and again and would recommend it to anybody.

Summary: Ironbridge- the first ever iron bridge to be made in the world