# Ironbridge Gorge

> The Iron Bridge over the River Severn was completed in 1779, opened in 1781 and is regarded as the world's first major cast-iron bridge.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/ironbridge-gorge/

A wooded river gorge dominated by the first iron bridge, with a cluster of industrial heritage museums along the Severn. Park near the bridge, walk across it, then pick one or two museums rather than trying them all.

The Iron Bridge over the River Severn was completed in 1779, opened in 1781 and is regarded as the world's first major cast-iron bridge. It has a span of 30.6 m and is made of roughly 380 tonnes of iron. It grew out of Abraham Darby's breakthrough of 1709, smelting iron with coke instead of charcoal, which allowed the Coalbrookdale Company to cast large iron pieces. The gorge is regarded as a birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust runs several museums along the gorge, including collections on iron founding, ceramics and Victorian crafts. The bridge itself can be crossed free of charge. Choose one or two museums rather than trying to see them all, and allow about two hours for the bridge and the village. Park near the bridge and continue on foot; spaces can be hard to find at weekends and during holidays.

- **Nearest town:** Ironbridge, United Kingdom
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 52.6280, -2.4850

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.

## Sources

- [Iron Bridge – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Bridge)
- [Iron Bridge World Heritage Site – ERIH](https://www.erih.net/i-want-to-go-there/site/iron-bridge-world-heritage-site)

## Nearby

- [Dovedale](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b6-dovedale/) – 68 km
- [Chester City Walls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/chester-city-walls/) – 68 km
- [Jodrell Bank Observatory](https://camping-spirit.com/places/jodrell-bank/) – 69 km
- [Hay-on-Wye](https://camping-spirit.com/places/hay-on-wye/) – 75 km

## FAQs

### Where is Ironbridge Gorge?

Ironbridge Gorge is in Ironbridge, United Kingdom, at GPS 52.6280, -2.4850. It is about 80 km from Buxton.

### Can you camp near Ironbridge Gorge?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Iron Gorge Camping, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 61 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Ironbridge Gorge?

Places worth a stop nearby: Dovedale (68 km), Chester City Walls (68 km), Jodrell Bank Observatory (69 km) and Hay-on-Wye (75 km).

### When is the best time to visit Ironbridge Gorge?

The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)