National Trust to take on ‘birthplace of the industrial revolution’ site at Ironbridge Gorge from spring 2026

The Ironbridge Gorge is a globally-important UNESCO World Heritage site, meaning it’s recognised internationally as being ‘of outstanding value to humanity’, comprised of buildings, structures and artefacts of international, national and local significance.

In spring 2026 the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) will transfer the museums, a Designated Collection of around 400,000 objects of national importance, and property including 35 listed buildings and Scheduled Monuments, to the care of the National Trust, Europe’s biggest conservation charity. There are ten museums within the Gorge site, including the Blists Hill Victorian Town and Enginuity museums.

The ongoing tough economic environment and unprecedented challenges of the last five years have presented charities, government and funding bodies with the opportunity to come together to safeguard the museums and collection at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust for future generations. This transfer has been made possible thanks to £9 million investment provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The National Trust is also grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England for funding and ongoing support throughout the process.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, it is absolutely vital that that the museums in the Ironbridge Gorge are protected as a key heritage asset in this country and a significant contributor to jobs and the economy in the Shropshire area. It is rich with the history of ingenious Britons who designed and constructed so many iconic pieces of engineering - from steam engines to iron boats.

“I have every confidence that this government support will help the National Trust take this area from strength to strength. It will mean it can be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors for generations, whilst providing children with opportunities to connect with their local heritage as we embark on our plan of national renewal.”

The National Trust expects to take on management of the museums within the Ironbridge Gorge in spring 2026 once the transfer of IGMT completes, at which point National Trust members will be able to visit the sites for free as part of their membership.

The Trust’s long-term aspiration is to grow the number of people that visit Ironbridge Gorge’s museums annually from 330,000 to 600,000 visitors. Given the site’s location close to some areas of high economic and health-related deprivation, the charity will work to tackle the barriers that often prevent people from engaging with heritage such as cost, transport and understanding relevance. It will also continue and deepen the site’s strong appeal for families through events, programming and storytelling that bring its unique history to life.

Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, said: “The Ironbridge Gorge is widely regarded as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, which paved the way for the scientific and technological innovation that defines our world today. The site is an example of British ingenuity, a source of immense national and community pride and a distinct and much-loved icon of our shared heritage. I cannot think of something more at home in the National Trust's care - an institution built to protect and preserve the things our nation loves on behalf of everyone, everywhere.

“It’s a privilege to be able to work with DCMS and with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, which has looked after the site and its collection with care and dedication for many decades, on this next chapter in Ironbridge Gorge’s amazing history. Finally, I'd like to say thank you to Arts Council England, Historic England, and National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support in helping secure a sustainable long-term future for the buildings, monuments and collections within Ironbridge Gorge.”

The National Trust will be working closely together with IGMT during the transition period until spring 2026. The charity will subsequently work with partners up and down the gorge to collectively care for the area, its buildings and collections, creating a fantastic experience for every visitor and a sense of renewal to the local community.

Mark Pemberton, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said: “We are incredibly pleased to have secured the long-term future of the Museum by its transfer to the National Trust. The £9m investment by DCMS is recognition of the global significance and national importance of Ironbridge.

“Ironbridge was important as the birthplace of industry and as a major tourist destination it now plays a part in the success of the local economy.”

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust will continue to manage and operate the 10 museums and building and monuments in its care until spring 2026. Visitors should go to ironbridge.org.uk for information on events and opening hours during the period.