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Ironbridge, known as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution,
was the centre of the English iron industry in the 18th century. This historical town in Severn Gorge in Shropshire is 13 miles SE of Shrewsbury. In 1709 iron was first melted with coke nearby
at Coalbrookdale which became one of the most  important industrialized areas in the world during the 18th century. In this hilly landscape there are still early ironworking forges and furnaces.
The Severn was one of
the busiest rivers in Europe. For boats which navigated the river, the water was often too shallow in summer and in winter too high.  The river was essential for transporting raw materials
to the ironsworks and other industries in the valley.
It was Abraham Darby, an ironmaster from Coalbrookdale, who was commissioned to build a bridge across the river.  In order to construct a bridge across the Severn it was necessary to
obtain an Act of Parliament. Royal Assent was granted in 1777. In 1777-1779 Europe’s first iron bridge was cast and erected: 196 feet long, the expansion of
the arch 100 feet and its height 45 feet. The Bridge is computed to contain 500 tons of iron. It was hailed as one of the wonders of the age. The Iron Bridge not only changed the
pattern of communications in its area, it attracted visitors from all over the world to learn about new technologies in ironmaking, transport systems and other manufacturing industries.
In 1986 Unesco declared the Ironbridge Gorge a World Heritage Site.
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