Travel Guide: Ironbridge

July 23, 2018

I have been to Ironbridge twice, now and hopefully, one day, I might go again. To be perfectly honest with you, I almost never go back to the same holiday destination more than once because I like to see new places and discover new cultures. Ironbridge, however, is one of those places that there is so much to do, it makes you want to go back again and again. With some friends and family, we took a trip up into Shropshire, on Saturday morning and stayed until late Sunday. It would've been good if we could have had an extra one or two days there to explore the area a bit more! Here is my guide to Ironbridge, for you, so that you know the best restaurants, places to visit and places to stay.

Over-night staying spots.

Both times I've visited Ironbridge, I've stayed in a Youth Hostel but not the same one. By far, one was much better than the other just for cleanliness, food and a few other reasons. One of those reasons is that there is so much more outdoor space at this hostel and two, it is WAY less confusing to find your way around. My recommendation, to you, is to go to the YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale (click on the name for more info) for the reasons above. Don't get me wrong, YHA Ironbridge Coalport is amazing, too but the aforementioned youth hostel is overall, my favourite. I believe that my favourite hostel is only for group bookings so check that out if you're interested.

Restaurants/pubs

Obviously, you can get food at the youth hostels which is really good quality, I have to say, but if you wanted to head out and about to see what else you could find, there are tonnes of great places in and around the town. Opposite the Ironbridge, there is a cute ice cream stand of which I couldn't find its name but I found it and screenshotted it on Google Maps. Find it by clicking here. The icecream here is amazing and they give very generous scoops 😆😉.

Also, for a proper meal, you may want to visit The Woodbridge Inn. Its meals are fantastic and the building has such scenic views, I recommend going here for an evening meal because you can sit and watch the sun go down behind a stunning bridge (not THE Ironbridge).

Days Out

For this section, I have many recommendations, leaving the best until last...

1. Jackfield Tile Museum

Here, you can make your own tile and view many more that have been made over the centuries. I wouldn't advise taking little ones here as they may not be as interested.

2. Enginuity

Enginuity, on the other hand, is brilliant for both children and adults. You can explore the science behind loads of things whilst having fun and experimenting. I also believe that you can build your own cart and race it with others- I'm not sure whether this is a school activity or open to everyone.

3. The Ironbridge

When visiting Ironbridge, it's a must to visit the bridge the town is named after. Unfortunately, when we went this time, it was under construction so all we saw was it covered in plastic wrapping😂.

But, trust me, normally it is a sight that needs to be seen and you can learn about its history in many museums in the town and around it. There are fantastic photo opportunities to use and many options for artsy Instagram pictures (check out my instagram here).

4. Blists Hill Victorian Town

This attraction, is, by far, my favourite. Blists Hill is a working Victorian village that you can walk around and visit shops where the staff are dressed in Victorian clothing. In addition, you can purchase Victorian products using their currency which proves to be an unbelievable experience. Just to say, the village is a great size so it would take you all day to get around it and visit every building. They also provide activities, such as candle dipping, a school lesson, brick making and much, much more. On-site, there is a Victorian fairground where you can win prizes and have massive amounts of fun!

I hope that this guide comes in SUPER useful for you if you do decide to head to Ironbridge for a holiday. Even though I've been twice already, I wouldn't mind heading back again to visit all the places we missed! Don't forget to check out my Instagram and links, at the bottom of the page and hit that 'Follow' button if you haven't already. I believe our blog community is growing on many platforms, now so make sure you keep up-to-date! Comment down below and tell me where you'd like a guide to next!

Stay tuned for more,
Elly😮