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Coalport China Museum And Tar Tunnel, Shropshire

The Coalport China Works was opened by John Rose in 1796, and concentrated on making expensive hand painted decorative tableware, using leading artists. The Industrial Revolution was an age which ironically often distrusted mass production. William Morris, for example, worried about the dehumanising effects of repetitive work, and set up factories in which he hoped handmade items could be produced. But it was only the wealthy who could afford hand painted chinaware. In a sense Coalport China Works was not representative of the new age, of design, and mass production, producing quality products at a reasonable price. By 1860 the Coalport factory was in financial difficulties. Although china was being produced for the mass market, a desire to concentrate on hand painted, expensive ranges took its toll. The factory went into receivership in 1876. New owners tried to improve things, but production of china ended here in 1926. The former works now displays a selection of Coalport's porcelain production.

The Tar Tunnel, a short walk from the China Museum, was driven into the hillside at Coalport in 1786 to connect subterranean working of the Blists Hill mines with Coalport Canal and the river Severn. Tunnelers accidentally came upon a spring of natural bitumen. It was more profitable to mine the bitumen than use the tunnel to move coal to the river.

Ceramic workshops are available at a small charge. Hard hat tours of the tar tunnel are available, on a seasonal basis.

 

Directions: Exit the M54 at junctions 4 or 6, and the follow signs for Ironbridge Gorge.Then follow signs for Blists Hill Museums. Click here for an interactive map centred on Ironbridge.

Opening Times: China Museum, open daily all year, 10am - 5pm. but closed 24th January. Tar Tunnel open from 24th March 2012 to October, 10am - 5pm.

Address: Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coach Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford Shropshire TF8 7DQ.

The postcode for Coalport China Museum is TF8 7HT.

Access: Wheelchair access is possible to the lower floor via a ramp, but there are stairs to the second floor. Touch tours are available. Adapted toilet facilities are provided.

Contact:

telephone: 01952 433424

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