The Ironbridge Traders are getting set to welcome visitors to the annual Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival on Saturday, 21 September.
This year visitors can join-in a free town trail taking in clues at the shops, pubs and businesses alongside the River Severn. The fun family-friendly trail created by the Ironbridge Traders, ‘A Walk Down Memory Lane with the Ironbridge Traders’, can be picked up, free of charge, from the Ironbridge Antiques, Arts and Crafts Centre. Certificates will be available for anyone completing the trail from Café Eight Six’d.
The trail is just one of a number activities taking place to celebrate the area’s designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The free Festival, which is supported by Telford & Wrekin Council, will be taking place on Saturday 21 September from 12noon until 5pm with heritage talks and walks, a fantastic high quality craft and food market, Heritage Demonstrations, street entertainment and family activities.
Local residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a large street market running parallel with the river along the Wharfage and offering a range of top quality locally produced foods, gifts and merchandise. Local charities and community groups will be running stands with raffles and fun challenges, all helping to raise vital funds and showcasing their good work.
In the Market Square there will be demonstrations and displays celebrating the remarkable heritage of the Gorge and street entertainment will keep the crowds amused throughout the day. Younger visitors can take part in free, hands-on art activities in the Merrythought Village, where they can also enjoy a donkey ride for a small fee.
Throughout the day visitors can discover more about the history of the Gorge as there will be a variety of free walks and talks, which detail different aspects of the area’s rich industrial past, including the new specially designed trail around the town. Keen walkers can join two walks lasting 2.5 hours which explore the historic bridges of the Ironbridge Gorge. The walks start at the Tollhouse on the Iron Bridge at 10 am and 12.30 pm.
Visitors to the event will also be able to explore the many riverside shops, pubs, cafés, antique shops, craft centres, restaurants and museums.
Festival goers should use the fast, free and frequent Ironbridge Park and Ride Service that operates from the top of Jiggers Bank (Sat Nav TF4 3QE) into the heart of the event. Station Road car park in Ironbridge will be available for accessible parking only and all other car parks will be for special permit holders.
For information about the event visit www.visitironbridge.co.uk/worldheritage, call 01952 433424 or email [email protected]
