England

Ironbridge: Days of Future Past

Do you have a historical interest in visiting Ironbridge?

Ironbridge, a fairly large village, is situated in Shropshire’s Telford and Wrekin borough. The village, located on the bank of the River Severn, is the beating heart of the Ironbridge Gorge. The name Ironbridge derives from the 100-foot cast iron bridge which spans the River Seven. The Iron Bridge, completed in 1779, draws to Shropshire visitors by the thousands ever year.

Many of the said tourists have a keen interest in in 18th Century British history. Certain visitors, Americans in particular, have a habit of over-emphasising the “I” when pronouncing the village’s name. It is not pronounced I-ron-bridge. But then, when it comes to countries such as Iran and Iraq, certain Americans apply the same misguided emphasise. It is what it is. There is no getting around it.

The village, regarded by many a significant tourist destination, is considered the “Birthplace of the [British] Industrial Revolution”. There is some merit to this description. It is suggested the description revolves around Abraham Darby having perfected a technique which allowed his workers to smelt iron with coke.