Group visits to Ironbridge Gorge
There's lots to explore across Ironbridge Gorge. We welcome pre-booked group visits from clubs, societies, organisations and groups of all ages at Blists Hill and Coalbrookdale.
If you are a group of 15 people or more, please ensure you book your visit with us in advance. Find out how to book and what to expect from your visit on this page. Self-guided school and educational visits are also welcome. You can find more information and how to book these on our Educational visits page.
Blists Hill group bookings
Blists Hill Victorian town is open for booked group visits from Monday to Friday during term time only.
Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian life as you step back in time to the year 1900. Visit Victorian shops, cottages and animals, meet craftspeople demonstrating their trades and taste nostalgic food like a cone of chips cooked in beef dripping as you explore a recreated working-class town in the East Shropshire Coalfield.
From canal walks amongst remains of original brick and tile works and blast furnaces or meeting our storytellers and joining a sing-along in the pub, there is something to appeal to all ages and expectations at this living historic site.
Your visit will be self-guided, but our friendly and experienced staff, volunteers, and costumed interpreters will be happy to answer your questions as you explore Blists Hill. We recommend 2 - 4 hours for a leisurely visit to see everything at Blists Hill.
There are plenty of places to picnic along the way or pop into the Welcome Cafe, open daily from 9am - 4.30pm for light bites, snacks and drinks. In the heart of Blists Hill, there's also the Forest Glen Pavillion, open daily from 9.30am - 4pm serving jacket potatoes, soup, and one pots, along with light bites, hot and cold drinks, and ice creams. Please note that we are not currently able to prebook meals catering for group bookings.
Coalbrookdale group bookings
Coalbrookdale is open for booked group visits from Monday to Sunday throughout the year excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Fundamental to the birthplace of industry, Coalbrookdale offers an insight into the buildings, families and communities that were part of, or witness to, the seismic events that took place here.
The site includes the Old Furnace, the most significant monument in the Industrial Revolution, where Abraham Darby I perfected a world-changing iron casting technique and Museum of Iron where visitors can delve into the story of the material that transformed the modern world. Ironwork from Coalbrookdale was renowned for its quality and innovation and the museum is home to iron objects that revolutionised working people's everyday lives.
A short walk from Museum of Iron on the hillside overlooking Coalbrookdale are the Darby Houses (exterior only). The houses were homes to the Darby family and managers of the Coalbrookdale Company for nearly 200 years and offer insight into the lives of these Quaker industrialists.
Further up the hill the Quaker Burial Ground and Arboretum can be explored, followed by refreshments back down at the Furnace Kitchen Café, which is open daily from 10am - 4pm for light bites, snacks, and drinks.
Your visit will be self-guided around the museum. We recommend 1 - 2 hours to go around the museum and the Old Furnace. Our friendly and experienced staff will be on-hand to answer your questions during your visit to the museum.
Other locations across Ironbridge Gorge
The Jackfield Tile Museum is open on weekends from 10am – 3pm for pre-booked visits. Due to its size, we are currently only accepting educational group visits here. Visitors are welcome to pre-book tickets individually to visit the museum.
The Iron Bridge Tollhouse is open daily from 10am - 4pm but due to its small size, we currently are unable to accept group bookings here. You are still very welcome to visit individually or in smaller groups when passing.
Booking your visit
Please email all group booking enquiries to: Ironbridgegorgegroups@nationaltrust.org.uk. One of the team will respond to your enquiry within 2 working days. Please note that your booking is not confirmed until you have received a confirmation email from us.
Planning your visit
- Entry is a cost per person, and we offer a discounted rate if your group is 15 people or more. National Trust members who show valid membership cards on the day are admitted free of charge.
- Coach drivers receive free entry plus a voucher for 1 x free tea or coffee
- Group visits are self-led, however, our friendly team will assist where we can.
Accessibility
Please note that our sites have historic buildings and pathways, which some may find difficult accessing or navigating. Learn more about access at Ironbridge Gorge on our dedicated access page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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School visits to Ironbridge Gorge
Discover how to book your educational visit to Ironbridge Gorge
Access at Ironbridge
We want everyone to be able to enjoy and explore Ironbridge Gorge, so we've collected together all the information needed to plan your day and to understand the facilities and access across the sites.
Planning your visit
Plan your visit to the Ironbridge Gorge sites.
