Teaching The Industrial Revolution? Visit Ironbridge!

It was an age of exploration and adventure! The rise of technology and innovations in manufacturing led to the rise of the Industrial Revolution, which is synonymous with English history. From industrial products to household consumer items, England was the centre of industrial growth in the eighteenth century. A well-known area at the time was the village of Ironbridge in The Gorge. An educational visit here brings alive the history of an age long past. There is a plethora of sights here and a complete learning experience for students would ideally take up to three days.  

Museum of the Gorge

The most interesting part of a visit to the Museum of the Gorge is the 12-meter-long model of the valley, built to scale and to impress. See the Iron Bridge, built in 1779, in exquisite miniature form. Take a walk on the real bridge to get a feel of the breathtaking views and the River Severn, which floods almost every year. For educational visits,a well-explained film that covers the history of the industry’s birthplace and how this was once the top industrial centre of the world is also on offer.  

Coalport China Museum

Get a real taste of the Victorian tea from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with the exquisite china that used to be produced here. From cups to vases, this is a one-of-a-kind educational visit, introducing students to the traditional techniques of pottery. Watch the live demos of the making and painting of fine china and take part in the special children’s gallery for hands-on experiences.

Jackfield Tile Museum

This is a treat for all youngsters who love to paint. The Victorian age was known for its painted and decorated tiles. The Jackfield Tile museum showcases the history of the British tile manufacturing industry, which became world-famous for its beauty and designs. As part of the educational visit, students can have a tour of a tile-making factory and even paint their own tile. 

Blists Hill Victorian Town

Last but certainly not least, this is a fun destination with all the glorious history of the Victorian age to go along with it. Blists Hill is the stop for a peek into the traditional life of the past. From candle-making to foundries of molten iron, from horse cart rides to authentic cottages, from fish and chips to special sweets of the past, all this and more will be a part of an educational visit here.

Several other educational destinations are available for viewing during a trip to Ironbridge. The notable ones include the Coalport Tar Tunnel for extracting bitumen, Darby Houses for authentic eighteenth-century style architecture, Broseley Pipeworks for clay tobacco pipe makers and Enginuity, which showcases various themes of the industry. Engaging a specialised tour operator to organise the educational visit and make the most of the time available is highly recommended! 

Author Plate

John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational visits for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.

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