Iron Bridge Gorge

The Ironbridge Gorge is known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It is a World Heritage Site set in a beautiful wooded valley in the heart of the Shropshire countryside. Although the factories have disappeared the heritage remains and in some cases has been recaptured in Victorian themed museums. Many of the homes of workers can still be found in picturesque villages and hamlets nearby.

Blists Hill Victorian Town

Blists Hill Victorian Town is an open-air museum near to Iron Bridge. The original site contained remains of previous industrial activity, a stretch of the Shropshire Canal, remains of Blast Furnaces and substantial remnants of a Brick & Tile works. A number of other building were purchased and moved to the site to create a Victorian village.

When you arrive you are greeted by a film showing typical scenes from the industrial revolution. On entering the bank you can exchange modern money for old coins that can be spent in the Victorian village. Best visited on warm dry days and allow 3-4 hours. The Victorian village is now populated by craftsmen in original costumes and many skills are demonstrated: Blacksmith, bakers, woodworkers, candle makers. You can enjoy a pint in the pub and sing along to traditional songs, buy fish and chips made the traditional way and children can experience what it was like in Victorian schools.

Enginuity

Enginuity is a hands-on museum that lets you become apprentice engineers for a while. The museum has four 'zones' : Materials, Energy, Design, and Systems & Controls, where you can find out how everyday objects work by looking inside them.

Telford Ski Centre

A gleaming snow sports hub in Madeley, Telford Snowboard and Ski Centre boasts an all-weather, 85-metre dry ski slope, a nursery slope and a ski lodge housing snacks and drinks.

Recommended by many visitors on Tripadvisor “Been twice this holiday. Started as beginners. Just five in group. By the end of two hours with great tuition we could ski from top. Second time we went as intermediates. Again wonderful friendly and skilled teachers. We had group of four and two instructors. Really really recommend this place because of the great tuition.”

Ice Rink

Telford Ice Rink is just under Olympic size but promises entertainment for all ages and a fun way to keep in shape. There are a number of different activities available such as ice skating clubs, public skating sessions, birthday parties, crash courses, hockey training and disco sessions.

Southwater One - Telford

Southwater One offers lots of things to do in the heart of Telford Town Centre. The centre is packed with attractions including a state of the art library, IMAX Cinema, Ice Rink, TenPin Bowling, Mecca Bingo and Telford Town Park with its 162 hectares of green space, numerous play areas and its aerial ropes and mini golf adventure course.

Ten Pin Bowling

Sited on the famous and busy St Quentin’s Gate which also contains a cinema, ice rink and the famous Telford Park as well as the biggest shopping centre in Shropshire.

Royal Airforce Museum in Cosford

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford houses one of the largest aviation collections in the UK. 70 historic aircraft are displayed in three wartime hangars. It is an amazing sight to see huge aircraft just hanging from the roof. The museum also contains several military vehicles such as tanks & personnel carriers as well as rockets and missiles.

Severn Valley Railway

This line runs between Bridgenorth and Kidderminster, a distance of 16 miles. The line crosses the famous cast-iron arch bridge between Arly and Bewdley. The train makes a number of stops and you will get the opportunity to see some stunning views of the Severn Valley and some of the steam locomotives at Highley.

Other rail lines that may be of interest:

Telford Steam Railway - Telford

Bridgnorth Cliff Railway - Bridgnorth

Heart of Wales line - Shrewsbury

Historic places to visit in Shropshire

Shrewsbury Castle

Whittington Castle

Old Oswestry Hill Fort

Wroxeter Roman City

These are the ruins of the 4th largest Roman city in England. Visitors can explore the new Roman Town House, which was constructed as part of Channel 4s TV series Rome Wasnt Built in a Day.

Stokesay Castle

Stokesay Castle is not really a castle at all, it is the finest and best preserved 13th century fortified manor house in England dating back to 1281.

Ludlow Castle

Ludlow Castle is a magnificent medieval ruined castle, set in glorious Shropshire countryside.

Hawkstone Park & Follies

Hawkstone Park & Follies was described as "The 18th Century walking centre of Great Britain." The park is centred around the 'Red Castle' and the awe-inspiring 'Grotto Hill' and you can see vast areas of Shropshire.

The walk takes you through woodlands, along precipitous cliff edges, through tunnels, across high bridges, through ravines and passes numerous vantage point where you find fabulous views. The best vantage point is on top of the 114 foot monument.

The walk is great fun but can be difficult in places as you need to scramble across rocks, through narrow passageways and up steep slippery steps. If you are afraid of heights this may not be for you. There are several routes from a short ‘1 hour’ leg stretcher to the full 3 hour route.

On our visit I noticed there is an excellent golf course next door and a maize maze near the park entrance. I’m not sure whether the maze is a permanent feature.

Things to do Shropshire

Find great things to do, the best Shropshire attractions, cheap family days out, romantic weekend breaks & fun things to do visiting Shropshire this weekend.