In Things to do

Whether you’re a beach lover or a disco diva, a steam engine enthusiast or a theatre fan, summer at Ironbridge Valley of Invention brings a packed programme of events and activities to entertain the whole family – including your dog!  

With ten sites nestled within the spectacular Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust offers plenty of options for an extended stay or return visits to explore this area renowned for its unique contribution to the birth of the Industrial Revolution. If you plan to visit two or more venues, the annual Pass offers great value with unlimited visits to all sites for a whole year.  

Blists Hill Victorian Town  

This 52-acre open air museum offers an authentic slice of life in a Victorian working town. You can hitch a ride on the Horse Bus, enter the mine on a little train, and change your money into old pounds, shillings and pence to spend on Victorian sweets and snacks, traditional fish and chips and a pulled pint. Kids will love the Madeley Wood Co. Outdoor Adventure with multi-level themed buildings and immersive play areas as well as a toddler zone with a faux mine-cart track, play buildings, a slide and miniature zip-line. And this summer there is a series of special events that will ensure you want to come back! 

Steampunk Festival 

24-25 June 2023

Step into 'The Town that Never Was', a weekend in the retro-futuristic world of Steampunk. The Steampunk Festival makes a welcome return, this year with the theme of time travel. An eclectic blend of steam power, science fiction and elaborate costumes, Steampunk reimagines the Victorian and Edwardian ages for the 21st century and beyond. You can join in by wearing your own historic costume as you browse stalls, join talks and enjoy music across Blists Hill’s attractions.  

Victorian Dog Show 

1-2 July 2023

Dogs are welcome daily at Blists Hill, especially for the annual Victorian Dog show. Pet pooches can compete for rosettes over a small obstacle course and give voice to the famous Victorian “Quality Dog Song”. Every participant gets a prize. Service dogs are welcome at all Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust sites. 


 


Stonemasons Weekend 

1-2 July 2023

Watch live demonstrations of the ancient craft of stonemasonry, vital to the preservation of our built heritage. See the masons at work and talk to them about their craft. 

Victorian Sports Weekend 
8-9 July 2023

Blist Hill’s annual sports weekend returns with the opportunity for visitors to take part in traditional sports and games such as the egg’n’spoon race, the sack race and a tug-of-war. Plus, the chance to try to score a goal against a Victorian goalkeeper! There are categories for adults and children and all winners get a certificate. 

Steam in Miniature Weekend 
15-16 July 2023

Nostalgia for the age of steam never dies. Miniature engines from all of the Victorian major manufacturers, plus Blists Hill’s own portable engine and stone crusher will be in operation at the Steam in Miniature Weekend. Later in the summer, on 12-13 August, larger engines roll into the Victorian Town for the Steam Gala. 

Seaside Experience 

24 July- 3 September 2023

This summer landlocked Blists Hill will be hosting its first seaside experience, complete with sand and donkey rides. On 29 and 30 July, check out the trunks worn by Captain Matthew Webb, a local lad who in 1875 became the first recorded person to swim the English Channel without artificial aid. Parents can sit back and relax in deckchairs while kids get sand between their toes or take a ride on the old-style carousel.  

Enginuity 

For hands-on experiments in science and engineering to fire the imaginations of children up to 12 years, head to Enginuity. Use your feet to power an interactive blast furnace, pull a 10-ton locomotive by hand and design a way for storybook characters to cross the river Severn. There is a Bright Sparks Sensory Room for families with babies and toddlers and those with additional needs, which also runs regular bookable Early Birds sessions for babies and Explorers sessions for children aged 2-5.  

Theatrical Fun 

Horrible Histories is at Enginuity on 3-4 August with its hit West End show BARMY BRITAIN, full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers – history with the nasty bits left in.  
 

The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron 

From magnificent metal statues to the finest bone china and exquisite tiles, the craft and skills of Ironbridge workers are on display at all of the museum’s venues. A new free exhibition, The Daily Grind, located opposite the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, sheds lights on the personal stories of the unsung men, women and children whose labour powered the Industrial Revolution and its creative legacy. 

On 15 July there is a special opportunity to take part in the National Festival of Archaeology at the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron. Families can find out more about this fascinating field with hands-on family activities, while a variety of walks and talks will showcase some of the exciting work going on in the region. This free event is sponsored by the Association for Industrial Archaeology.  

Jackfield Tile Museum 

Unleash your inner artist at pre-bookable Tile Decorating Workshops at Jackfield Tile Museum throughout the summer (20 and 30 June, 11, 14, 18 and 20 July).  

Booking required, additional fee. 

Ironbridge Gorge walking itineraries 

Take time out to explore the Gorge on foot or by bike. A new guide from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust sets out six trails, each with a different historical theme, introducing the buildings, people, monuments and varied landscapes of this extraordinary district. Each circular trail takes in at least one museum and they interlink so can be walked in any combination. The £4 guide is available from all of the museum gift shops. 

Events are included in the ticket price unless otherwise stated. For full details of ticket and annual pass prices, summer activities and events at Ironbridge Valley of Invention visit https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/ 

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