Mike's Mini Guide to Telford and Ironbridge
"Why the hell are you going to Telford?" was most people's response. We were on our way to Cardiff, and wanted to stop somewhere on the way to make it a 2 place trip. We originally planned a trip to Ironbridge, and were only staying in Telford (3-4 miles away) as the hotels were small and very expensive in Ironbridge. However, after a quick internet search, it became apparent that Telford has something special to offer if you have small kids. Read on:
How to get there - We went by car, but there is a massive train station in Telford. Access around the Ironbridge area might be difficult without a car, but apparently there is a bus around the museums.
Accommodation - As I've said, staying in Ironbridge is expensive with not much choice. We stayed at the Travel Inn in Telford, which was just £45 for the 3 of us on a room only basis. It is quiet and it adjoins a large Brewers Faire, which has a small kiddies play area, so all in all a fairly good spot I thought.
Before you go: Ring the tourist information centre in Telford (01952 230032) and ask for a guide book. They will send you a really useful book about Telford and Ironbridge with some other literature.
What to see:
   The
area around Ironbridge is famed for it's 8 museums, including the steel
and china museums. If this floats your boat then buy a museum
passport (around £13) from the first place you visit as it will save you
plenty. If you have children with you (like us) you may want to give
most of the museums a wide berth. Do not however miss out on Blist
Hill. The most expensive at around £8 it is fantastic. The 'museum'
is in fact an authentically recreated Victorian Town. All the
employees are dressed accordingly and you can wander around the shops and
large town sampling for example bread made in a Victorian manner.
The 'residents' and shop keepers love to answer questions, and we were
even told off by the school teacher for eating in class!! |
|
  As
my job revolves around the stuff, the only other museum that took my fancy
was the tar tunnel (around £1.50). The tunnel was built to
transport coal from Blist Hill, but started leaking natural bitumen. It was blocked
up and discovered years later behind a door in the corner shop
(left). Although not part of the Ironbridge Museums, Buildwas Abbey
(right) is near by and well worth a visit (around £3) as the cloisters
are well preserved. |
  The
town/village of Ironbridge itself (right) is quite unremarkable. You
can always spot a place that is quaint but completely uneventful by the
fact that motorbikers go there (I've never figured this out?).
Assuming you can find a parking place, you won't need much longer than an
hour or so to have a look around. It seems to be the done thing to
have an ice-cream whilst giving the bridge (made of iron !) (left) the
once over, so what the hell? |
   If
you have small children, you must not miss Telford Town Park.
Completely free of charge, it is the biggest and best playground I've ever
seen. Calling it a playground seems to demean it, it is in fact several
different areas (left) for ages from toddlers up to 14. From around
March to October there's peddle boats on the lake and a fairground.
Teddies train (!) runs all day and for £1 you can travel around the
park. For the adults there's the shopping arcade, which has a
display in the middle (vintage motorbikes when we were there) and the
tourist information desk. Market outside on a Saturday. Also for the
adults, don't miss the Japanese Gardens (centre). A separate payable
(around £3 + £2 for a rides wristband) feature within the Town Park is Wonderland (right). A
woodland setting of fairytail houses, dinosaur trails, a maze and kiddies
rides (teacups and the like). An absolute heaven for small kids.
Adults be warned there isn't much for you, but the maze is fun. Well
done Telford Council, you have obviously gone to great lengths to keep
your younger residents amused, and I for one was very impressed.
It's a shame other councils can't have the same vision. |
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Links to other sites (why you'd need other sites is beyond me, but I aim to please)
www.telford.gov.uk/FreeTime/Tourism/Tourism.htm (loads of extra links from here as well)
