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Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire

Blists Hill Victorian Town near the Iron Bridge in Shropshire preserves industrial monuments alongside reconstructed Victorian buildings. Set in fifty acres of woodland, Blists Hill recreates the environment of a late nineteenth century industrial town. The top of the town has a shopping area, with bank, chemist, grocer's shop, bakery and sweet shop. There is also a working area which includes an operational iron foundry and rolling mill. Blists Hill is interesting both in what it recreates and in the way the past is presented. The Ironbridge area has long been presented as a combination of natural beauty and intense industrial activity. Original eighteenth century engravings would portray the Ironbridge standing in a fanciful rural landscape. You might say that Blists Hill is a modern recreation of those eighteenth century engravings.

Food and drink are available in the New Inn Victorian pub and the Forest Glen Pavilion tea rooms. Victorian souvenirs include cast-iron, copper and plaster mouldings made in the town, as well as traditional chemist recipes and sweets. Visitors can exchange modern money for Victorian pounds, shillings and pence, and use them in the various shops and restaurants at Blists Hill.

Near Blists Hill the Shropshire Canal runs past the remains of a large brick and tile works to the Hay Inclined Plane. From 1792 to 1894 the Hay Inclined Plane transported boats up and down the hillside between Blists Hill and Coalport. This represents a drop of two hundred and seven feet. Also available to view are the remains of three huge blast furnaces next to the canal.

 

 

Opening Times: Open daily, April to October 10am - 5pm, November to March 10am - 4pm.

Address: Blists Hill Victorian Town, Legges Way, Madeley, Telford Shropshire TF7 5DU

Directions: Exit the M54 at junction 4 and follow signs for Ironbridge Gorge. Then follow signs for Blists Hill Museum. Click here for an interactive map centred on Ironbridge.

Access: level access is possible to most of the site, although the authentic Victorian shale surfaces can get muddy in wet weather. There are some steep slopes. All period transport within the site, horse drawn cart or Model T Ford, is free to visitors with disabilities. Guides will provide touch tours to visitors with sight problems. Hearing loops are available at a number of locations, including the chemist, tin smiths, foundry, printers, doctors' surgery, school, winding engine and main entrance.

Contact:

telephone: 01952 884391

web site: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/

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