Ironbridge

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Ironbridge
Image:Shropshire outline map with UK.png Image:Red pog2.svg Ironbridge shown within Shropshire
Population	2,457[1]
OS grid reference	SJ6724903350
Parish	The Gorge
Unitary authority	Telford and Wrekin
Ceremonial county	Shropshire
Region	West Midlands
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	IRONBRIDGE
Postcode district	TF8
Dialling code	01952
Police	West Mercia
Fire	Shropshire
Ambulance	West Midlands
UK Parliament	Telford
European Parliament	West Midlands
List of places: UK • England • Shropshire

Coordinates: 52°37′35″N 2°29′02″W / 52.6265, -2.4838

This article is about the settlement near a bridge of great historical importance for its innovative use of metal. For detailed information about the structure itself see The Iron Bridge.

Ironbridge is a settlement on the River Severn, at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge in Telford, Shropshire, England. It lies in the parish of The Gorge, in the borough of Telford and Wrekin. The village developed beside, and takes its name from the famous Iron Bridge, a 30 metre (100 foot) cast iron bridge that was built across the river there in 1779.

Contents 1 History 2 Present day 3 Flooding 4 See also 5 References and notes 6 External links

[edit] History

The area around Ironbridge is described as the "Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution" because it is near the place where Abraham Darby I perfected the technique of smelting iron with coke, allowing much cheaper production of iron. The grandson of the first Abraham Darby, Abraham Darby III, built the famous bridge - originally designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard - to link the two areas. It opened in 1779. Soon afterwards the ancient Madeley market was relocated to the new purpose built square and Georgian Butter Cross and the former dispersed settlement of Madeley Wood gained a planned urban focus as Ironbridge, the commercial and administrative centre of the Coalbrookdale coalfield. The Iron Bridge proprietors also built the Tontine Hotel to accommodate visitors to the new Bridge and the industrial sights of the Severn Gorge. On the hillside above the river are situated the stone-built 16th century hunting Lodge at Lincoln Hill, many 17th and 18th century workers cottages, some imposing Georgian houses built by ironmasters and mine and canal barge owners, and many early Victorian villas built from the various coloured bricks and tiles of the locality.

St Luke's Church (1837) in simple commissioners' gothic by Samuel Smith of Madeley, has stained glass by David Evans of Shrewsbury. The living was endowed as a rectory when the parish was created from Madeley in 1847 and is now a united with Coalbrookdale and Little Wenlock, in the Diocese of Hereford. The former Iron Bridge and Broseley railway station, on the Severn Valley line (GWR) from Hartlebury to Shrewsbury, was situated on the south side of the Iron Bridge until 1966.

[edit] Present day

By the 19th century, Ironbridge had had many well-known visitors including Benjamin Disraeli, but by the mid-20th century the village was in decline. In 1986 though, Ironbridge became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site (which covers the wider Ironbridge Gorge area) and has become a major tourist attraction within Shropshire. Most industries in Ironbridge are now tourist related; however, the Merrythought teddy bear company (established in 1931) was still manufacturing in Ironbridge until December 2006, when the factory was closed. Amongst other things, the village is still host to a Post Office, pharmacy, various pubs, cafés and many successful small shops.

An annual Coracle Regatta is held in August on the River Severn at Ironbridge, along with many other events throughout the year. Just outside Ironbridge in Coalbrookdale is the Ironbridge Institute, a partnership between the University of Birmingham and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust offering postgraduate and professional development in heritage.

[edit] Flooding

Ironbridge has an annually recurring problem of flooding from the River Severn, as do many other parts of Shropshire. Flooding has previously caused much damage and disruption to the Wharfage, which accommodates both The Swan and White Hart pubs, Homeward Bound Home & Gift Store, Darlingtons of Ironbridge and various private homes. Starting in February 2004, DEFRA in association with the Environment Agency implemented a portable barrier which is erected at times of floods. At its peak, the flood water has reached a depth of one metre against the barrier.

[edit] See also

• Ironbridge Gorge Museums
• The Iron Bridge
• Ironbridge Power Station
• Coalbrookdale by Night

[edit] References and notes

1. ^ National Statistics - Neighbourhood statistics by ward.

[edit] External links

• Shropshire TourismThe official tourism website for Shropshire
• Ironbridge Visitor Guide
• Ironbridge Archaeology
• Ironbridge Photo Gallery
• Ironbridge tourist information
• Map of UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Images of Ironbridge on Shropshire Gallery
• Images of Ironbridge on Fotopic
• ITV Local footage in Ironbridge Gorge

v • d • e River Severn, UK
Counties	Powys (Montgomeryshire) · Shropshire · Worcestershire · Gloucestershire · Monmouthshire · Bristol · Somerset · Newport · Cardiff
Flows into	Severn Estuary · Bristol Channel
Settlements	Llanidloes · Newtown · Welshpool · Shrewsbury · Ironbridge · Bridgnorth · Bewdley · Stourport · Worcester · Tewkesbury · Gloucester · Berkeley · Chepstow · Avonmouth
Major tributaries	River Vyrnwy · River Tern · River Stour · River Teme · Warwickshire Avon · River Wye · Bristol Avon · River Usk
Linked canals	Staffordshire and Worcestershire · Worcester and Birmingham  · Droitwich · Herefordshire and Gloucestershire · Thames and Severn · Coalport · Gloucester and Sharpness · Stroudwater Navigation
Major crossings	Welsh Bridge · English Bridge · The Iron Bridge · Severn Bridge · Over Bridge · Severn Tunnel · Second Severn Crossing · Aust Severn Powerline Crossing (all)
Longest UK rivers: 1. Severn 2. Thames 3. Trent 4. Great Ouse 5. Wye 6. Tay 7. Spey 8. Nene 9. Clyde 10. Tweed 11. Eden 12. Dee

ang:Īsenbrycg

cs:Ironbridge de:Ironbridge fr:Ironbridge ja:コールブルックデール橋 fi:Ironbridge Gorge nl:Ironbridge sv:Ironbridge