Ironbridge Gorge

The Ironbridge Gorge is a deep gorge with the River Severn in Shropshire, England. It formed long ago from a big flow of water after the last ice age. The rocks here have important materials like coal, iron ore, limestone and fireclay. These helped people create new things during the early Industrial Revolution.

The Ironbridge Gorge looking east towards the Iron Bridge

The gorge was once called the Severn Gorge, but it is now known for the Iron Bridge. This was the first bridge made of iron in the world. It was built in 1779 to connect Broseley with Madeley and the busy area of Coalbrookdale.

The Ironbridge Gorge was a good place for early industries because it had all the needed materials nearby, like coal, iron ore, limestone and clay. The wide, deep river made it easy to move products to the sea near the Bristol Channel.

Formation

The gorge carries the River Severn south towards the Bristol Channel. It was formed long ago during the last ice age. Water from the river became trapped in a lake (Lake Lapworth). This happened because the Irish Sea ice blocked the river. The lake grew until the water broke through the hills, creating the gorge and changing the river's path forever.

The Gorge parish

The Gorge is a civil parish in the borough of Telford and Wrekin and the county of Shropshire. It includes places like Coalbrookdale, Coalport, Ironbridge, Jackfield, and Lightmoor. It is split into three areas for local government: Coalport & Jackfield, Ironbridge Gorge, and Lightmoor.

In 2011, 3,275 people lived in this area.

Conservation in the Gorge

The Green Wood Centre has taught workers how to care for forests and trees for many years.

The Severn Gorge Countryside Trust looks after most of the forests, fields, and open land in the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. This area covers around 260 hectares (640 acres). BTCV’s Green Gym helps the trust with forest work. The trust and the Green Wood Centre also offer projects for local volunteers. These projects include tree care, removing unwanted plants, building fences for deer, and managing the woodlands.