Museums set to open after National Trust takeover

Three Ironbridge Gorge attractions will reopen in May, after being closed since a takeover by the National Trust in March.

Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and the Furnace Kitchen will open to visitors on 20 May, with Blists Hill Victorian Town to follow on 21 May.

Ironbridge Gorge's 10 museums, 35 listed buildings and 400,000 collection items were previously run by the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, which had been operating the locations in Shropshire since 1967.

"We know that everyone who loves Ironbridge Gorge will be happy to hear this news and we can't wait to welcome everyone back," said Mark Agnew, project director for the National Trust at Ironbridge Gorge.

"Blists Hill, and the chance to step into the sights, sounds and stories of Victorian life in the gorge, is loved by so many people both locally and across the country, so we've worked hard get it open in time for half-term."

He added that over the coming months, popular activities at the site, such as horse-drawn carriage rides and steam exhibits, would be reintroduced, as well as new ones added - shaped by feedback from visitors.

After these sites are reopened, it is hoped that the Jackfield Tile Museum and Enginuity will be opened to schools in June, with bookable visits to the Tile Museum at weekends for other visitors.

The Iron Bridge Toll House is also expected to open in mid-June.

All remaining sites, including the Museum of the Gorge, will follow it in a phased approach over the remainder of 2026.

"Our goal is to grow the number of people that visit these wonderful sites, tackle the barriers that often prevent people from engaging with heritage, and continue to deepen the strong appeal for families, through events, programming and storytelling, that bring the Gorge's unique history to life," said Agnew.

"In this first year, we want to hear from everyone who has an interest in this hugely significant place and there will be plenty of opportunity for conversation.

"This will help us to not only secure the future of Ironbridge Gorge but also to help us develop the overall visiting experience."

He added that following feedback, car parking had been made free for visitors at Blists Hill and the Coalbrookdale sites.

"Our overarching aim is to get Ironbridge Gorge into a sustainable financial condition and to do this we need people to visit and support us on this journey."

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