- Ironbridge
infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Ironbridge
latitude= 52.6265longitude= -2.4838
civil_parish= The Gorge
population = 2,457cite web|title=National Statistics - Neighbourhood statistics by ward|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/areasubject.do]
unitary_england=Telford and Wrekin
lieutenancy_england=Shropshire
region= West Midlands
constituency_westminster= Telford
post_town= IRONBRIDGE
postcode_district = TF8postcode_area= TF
dial_code= 01952
os_grid_reference= SJ6724903350
static_
static_image_caption=Ironbridge village, seen from theIron Bridge .Ironbridge is a settlement on the
River Severn , at the heart of theIronbridge Gorge inTelford ,Shropshire ,England . It lies in the parish of The Gorge, in the borough ofTelford and Wrekin . The village developed beside, and takes its name from the famous Iron Bridge, a 30 metre (100 ft)cast iron bridge that was built across the river there in 1779.History
The area around Ironbridge is described as the "Birthplace of the
Industrial Revolution " because it is near a the place whereAbraham Darby I perfected the technique ofsmelting 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 byThomas Farnolls Pritchard - to link the two areas. Construction began in 1779 and the bridge opened on New Year's Day 1781. 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 theCoalbrookdale coalfield. The Iron Bridge proprietors also built theTontine 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 byironmaster s 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 ofShrewsbury . The living was endowed as a rectory when the parish was created from Madeley in 1847 and is now a united withCoalbrookdale andLittle Wenlock , in theDiocese of Hereford . The former Iron Bridge andBroseley railway station, on the Severn Valley line (GWR) fromHartlebury to Shrewsbury, was situated on the south side of the Iron Bridge until 1966.Present day
s and many successful small shops.
An annual
Coracle Regatta is held in August on theRiver Severn at Ironbridge, along with many other events throughout the year. Just outside Ironbridge inCoalbrookdale is theIronbridge Institute , a partnership between theUniversity of Birmingham and theIronbridge Gorge Museum Trust offering postgraduate and professional development inheritage .A number of historical sites in the village, including the wharfage and the bridge itself, are waypoints on the
South Telford Heritage Trail .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 theEnvironment 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.ee also
*
Ironbridge Gorge Museums
*The Iron Bridge
*Ironbridge Power Station
*Coalbrookdale by Night References and notes
External links
* [http://www.ironbridgeguide.info Ironbridge Visitor Guide]
* [http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/about_us/ironbridge_archaeology/ Ironbridge Archaeology]
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