Museums:
There are 10 award winning attractions managed by the Ironbridge gorge museums trust: www.ironbridge.org.uk
These include:
The Museum of Iron which is only 5 minutes walk away up the hill
Enginuity a fantastic interactive experience for children dedicated to science and engineering. It is on the same site as The Museum of Iron
The Museum of the Gorge is on the river Severn itself in Ironbridge, about 10 minutes walk from Penny Black.
The Darby houses About 15 minutes walk from Penny Black, The Darby Houses were the residences of the Darby Family, who were the founders of Iron smelting and Ironwork in Coalbrookdale
The Iron bridge and it’s Tollhouse You really can’t miss the famous Iron Bridge. The first all Iron Bridge in the world, spanning the Severn in the centre of town.
Blists Hill Victorian Town Here you’ll experience what life was like when Britain ruled the world. Meet some (almost) real Victorians in their authentic shops and cottages, buy curious goods from a bygone era and watch tradespeople in action in their atmospheric workshops and factories. About 10 minutes from Penny Black in the car
Coalport China museum These original buildings include riverside workshops, the pottery Kilns, and a children’s gallery
Jackfield Tile Museum We loved these atmospheric old buildings with with examples of tiles from Jackfield that have been exported all over the World. Around 15 minutes from Penny black in the car.
Broseley Pipe works See inside this curious factory, abandoned by workers in 1957, and get an eerie glimpse into a world and industry that have long since passed. Broseley was the centre of clay tobacco pipe manufacturing and pipes made here were celebrated as being the very best.
Admission to Broseley Pipeworks is by guided tour only. These tours are included in the admission fee. Tour times: 10.30am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm. Again this is about 15 mins from Penny Black by car.
Pubs and Restaurants:
Our nearest pub, The Coalbrookdale Inn, (Coalbrookdale Inn Facebook) is 5 minutes walk up the road, opposite the Museum of Iron/Enginuity site. It has a great atmosphere, and excellent beer, but unfortunately, no food. They accept dogs
There are many other pubs in and around Ironbridge: The White Hart The Woodbridge The Swan Taphouse The Golden Ball The Malthouse to name but a few. All of these do food, but in addition there are restaurants such as Restaurant Severn La Casita Tapas Bar and Pondicherry Indian Restaurant in the former police station.
The Furnace Kitchen is on the site of the Museum of Iron and Enginuity. It has been recently opened by celebrity chef Marcus Bean, and offers a limited but delicious menu.
The Greenwood Cafe is about 10 minutes walk away, and is an excellent place to while away some time with a delicious coffee. They have an extensive vegetarian/vegan menu.
Walks:
The Severn Gorge countryside trust have leaflets detailing walks around Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge. The Darby family, who set up and ran the ironworks in Coalbrookdale were particularly progressive for their time, and promoted fresh air and sunday walks for their employees, hence the Sabbath Walks promoted on the countryside trusts website
The Wrekin is 1335ft high, and capped with an ancient iron age hill fort. It is about 5 miles away, and the views from the top are breathtaking