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Ironbridge

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{{merge|The Iron Bridge}} Image:Ironbridge.JPG thumbnail|right|The village, seen from the bridge '''Ironbridge''' is a settlement beside the River Severn in the parish of Ironbridge Gorge The Gorge, part of the new town of Telford, in Shropshire, England. It is located within the Ironbridge Gorge, a few kilometers south of Telford Town Centre. The Town grew up beside, and takes its name from The Iron Bridge, a 30 metre (100 foot) cast iron bridge that was built across the river there in 1779. The area is described as "The Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution" because it includes Coalbrookdale and Broseley, where Abraham Darby I perfected the technique of smelting iron with coke, allowing much cheaper production of iron. The grandson of the first Abraham Darby, Abraham Darby III built the famous bridge to link the two areas in 1779. 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 the Coalbrookdale coalfield. The Bridge proprietors also built the Tontine Hotel to accomodate visitors to the new Bridge and the industrial sights of the 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 by ironmasters and mine and 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 of Shrewsbury. The living was endowed as a rectory when the parish was created from Madeley in 1847 and is now a united with Coalbrookdale and Little Wenlock, in the Diocese of Hereford. The former Iron Bridge and Broseley railway station, on the Severn Valley line (GWR) from Hartlebury to Shrewsbury was situated on the south side of the Iron Bridge until 1966. Image:Ironbridge002.JPG thumbnail|right|The Iron Bridge Image:Ironbridge003.JPG thumbnail|right|The Iron Bridge {{GBmap|Telford - Shropshire|SJ672033}} By the 19th century, the town had had many well-known visitors including Benjamin Disraeli, but by the mid-20th century the town was in decline. In 1986 though, the town became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has become a tourist attraction. Most industries in Ironbridge are now tourist related; however, the Merrythought teddy bear company (established in 1931) is still manufacturing in Ironbridge. An annual Coracle Regatta is held in August on the River Severn at Ironbridge, along with many other events throughout the year.

See also
* Ironbridge Gorge Museums

External links

- Ironbridge Visitor Guide
- Ironbridge Photo Gallery
- Ironbridge tourist information
- Map of UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The Merrythought Teddy Bear Company
- Images of Ironbridge on Shropshire Gallery
- Ironbridge Archaeology {{Severn between Llandrinio and Ironbridge}} {{Severn from Ironbridge to Bewdley}} {{River Severn}} {{Shropshire-geo-stub}} Category:Towns on the River Severn Category:Telford and Wrekin Category:Villages in Shropshire cs:Ironbridge de:Ironbridge fr:Ironbridge ja:コールブルックデール橋 sv:Ironbridge

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