Shropshire
IN AND AROUND IRONBRIDGE
The Iron Bridge from the river
Ironbridge is a world heritage site in Shropshire and offers a variety of attractions. It is set in the Severn Valley near Telford. As well as having ten museums in the Ironbridge Gorge and the famous Iron Bridge, there are a variety of small shops and cafes some of which are accessible.
The majority of the museums are accessible however because certain areas are not accessible, the entrance fee to them is halved for wheelchair users and attendants. A passport ticket is available allowing you to visit each museum at your leisure and is cheaper than individual ticket prices. Our researchers have visited six of the museum sites and more information is available further down on this page.
For details of a selection of the attactions on offer please read on and for accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page.
The Ironbridge Gorge River Cruises
The cruise offers visitors unique views of the picturesque gorge
Visitors to Ironbridge are able to enjoy a 45 minute cruise along the River Severn and under the famous Ironbridge Bridge aboard the Hafren, a wheelchair accessible cruiser (now in its second year of operation) which is owned and operated by Ironbridge River Cruisers.
Trips are available 7 days a week in the season and an informative audio presentation describes some of the history of this former industrial navigational route.
Boarding is via a steep ramp with the friendly boat crew on hand to assist
The boat has been specifically designed to accommodate wheelchairs and has seating that can be removed or folded up and it could be suitable for groups of up to 10 non transferring wheelchair users. However please note this is a popular attraction and although pre-booking is not essential for individual holiday makers, it is advisable to ensure a trip at the time of your choice.
For more detailed accessibility information please click here.
The Museum of the Gorge
The Museum of the Gorge
The Museum of the Gorge which adjacent to the River Severn in Ironbridge is a good place to start your journey around the museum trail. It gives an excellent overview off life in the gorge when it was at the height of its bustling industrial past and the river was a busy thoroughfare with barges loading and unloading all kinds of goods and raw materials.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the museums own website please click here.
Blists Hill Victorian Town
The Incline Plane Lift in Blists Hill Victorian Town
Blists Hill Victorian Town has recently undergone extensive improvements and there is plenty for wheelchair users to see and do. It is a fascinating insight into the Victorian age, some places such as the bank (where you can change modern currency into old money) have wheelchair access at the side. The newly built Canal Street has level access to all the properties. The site is steeply sloping and visitors can now return to the top via the incline plane lift.
The video narration in the mine
Also added for 2009 is the narrow gauge train trip into a clay mine which has wheelchair access via a ramp. Visitors are taken into a tunnel where an audio visual simulation of the hazards of working life, for a father and son employed in the mine, is played out. The trip including an introductory talk last 20 minutes and the cost is not included in the main museum entry fee.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the museums own website please click here.
Coalport China Museum
Coalport China Museum
Coalport China Museum is situated on the site of the old Coalport china Works and houses the National Collections of Caughley and Coalport china. It provides an insight into the manufacturing processes involved and the lives of the people who worked there. There are several 'hands on' experiences at the museum and a full programme of special events.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the museums own website please click here.
Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron
An attractive iron sculpture in the museum
We can also recommend visiting the Museum of Iron. It is housed in the Great Warehouse opposite the old furnace that produced cheap cast iron products. It displays a huge range of iron products that were made locally by the Darby family. There is a small cafe, shop and designated toilets on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the museums own website please click here.
Enginuity
One of the many exhibits at Enginuity
Also on the site is Enginuity which is a science and discovery centre and provides a fascinating interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the museums own website please click here.
Jackfield Tile Museum
One of the beautiful decorative tile exhibits
Jackfield Tile Museum houses an extensive collection of the decorative tiles which were once produced on site and shipped out to all parts of the globe. Many were individually commissioned works of art and visitors can view some of the varied settings they were displayed in such as a public house, a hospital and an edwardian tube station.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the museums own website please click here.
Ropewalk Meadow
There are several wheelchair suitable paths in Ironbridge , firstly Dale End Park situated next door to the Merrythought museum and factory. If you take the path at the river end of the car park, the path is level and easy to negotiate. It goes along beside the River Severn through pleasant parkland. Near the Museum of Iron is Coalbrookdale Pool, there is a newly laid accessible path around the pool. At the end of which the path leads on to a boardwalk that follows the stream that feeds the pool. Further up the hill from here is the Ropewalk Meadow, a site managed by the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust. The path goes along beside a meadow overlooking a wooded valley.
Telford Town Park
The Maxwell Cherry Garden in Telford Town Park
TelfordTown Centre is only a few miles away and has easy access to its shopping complex, disabled toilets and the adjacent town park. The park has several lakes and many of its pathways are suitable for wheelchairs, it covers a very large area. As some of the inclines on the paths are quite steep you may need a strong assistant to help push. The garden shown above has steps in the middle section but wheelchair users can see each half by using both entrances ( NB. The one near the bandstand has a shallow step). There are two wheelchair accessible picnic tables adjacent to the garden entrance near the lake.
Please note the park is on the edge of a new regeneration project at the moment, the park will remain accessible throughout works but some things have been affected. For more information please use the following link www.heartoftelford.co.uk
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to the parks own website please click here.
Apley Castle Park
Apley Castle Park is situated to the north of the town centre just off the A5223. Take the turning signposted to Garden Centre and the car park is at the far end of the lane. If you take the right hand path there is a good circular route around the woodland. It maybe muddy during wet weather but the path is level with a reasonable surface. There is another path through a different opening on the left hand side of the car park entrance, this leads down to Apley Pool. Although the path narrows, it is negotiable by wheelchair with an able assistant to help push.
Hoo Farm
Hoo Farm
Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom is on the outskirts of Telford at Preston-on-the-Weald Moors, signposted off the A442. The site has level access throughout although some of the paths are gravelled and you might need assistance from someone pushing. There is a lot to see and do, with events such as sheep racing and animals to pet and feed. There are a lot of paths some going through woodland in part of which is 'Hoollee Town', a magical kingdom inhabited by small furry creatures. Hand washing facilities at various locations around the site (essential after petting the animals) are at a suitable height for wheelchair users. There is a gift shop, a cafe that is open weekends and school holidays and a disabled toilet.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Royal Air Force Museum Cosford
Royal Air Force Museum Cosford
Approximately ten miles east from Ironbridge is the Royal Airforce Museum at Cosford and there is excellent access throughout and disabled toilets. There is a restaurant serving meals as well as light snacks. Some of the staff have worked with aircraft all their lives including service in World War Two and are only too willing to share their knowledge with you. It's advisable to allow at least half a day for your visit as there is plenty to see. There are wheelchairs and scooters for hire near the entrance.
A view from the galleried landing in the new Cold War exhibit.
A large purpose built hangar displaying the Cold War exhibition was built in 2007. This has good access throughout including the lift that gives access down to the lower floor and up to the viewing platform.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Albrighton Moat and Gardens
Springtime at Albrighton Moat
Albroghton Moat and Gardens are about a couple of miles further along the A41 towards Wolverhampton from Cosford. There is a brown sign pointing to a left hand turn on a bend, which is easily missed if you are not looking out for it. It is a centre set around an ancient scheduled moat and has especially been designed for disabled visitors. There are fishing and leisure facilities as well as picnic areas. The gardens are divided into thirty five themes including a sensory garden for the visually impaired. There are refreshment facilities, disabled toilets and it has excellent access throughout the site. The moat is stocked with Carp, Roach and Rudd and if you wish to fish, it is necessary to book in advance, tel: 01902 372441. The centre has several wheelchairs to loan please state if you wish to use one when booking.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
About ten miles south of Ironbridge is the town of Bridgnorth which has an interesting selection of shops and on certain days a street market. In East Castle street there are the Castle Tea Rooms which has good access for a wheelchair and serves full meals as well as light snacks.
The Severn Valley Railway
Boarding the train at Bridgnorth
Also in the town is the Severn Valley Railway which has specially adapted carriages for wheelchairs and a disabled toilet on the train. The staff are on hand to offer assistance if required. There is a tearoom with a steeply ramped entrance and a shop at Bridgnorth station.
Inside one of the three accessible carriages the railway now operates
It takes about an hour and a quarter to travel the line from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster. There is a three quarter of an hour turn around at Kidderminster during which you can visit the small museum and have a cup of tea in the tea room there, before travelling back to Bridgnorth. It is necessary to contact the railway beforehand to check what time the adapted carriages are running, in order to avoid a long wait. There is disabled parking immediately outside the station ticket office.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Engine House Visitor Centre
The simulation of the trains 'steaming up'
The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley can be reached from Highley station via a ramp and crossing. The station staff will be pleased to assist you to negotiate this if requested.
I always wanted to be an engine driver
The new facility is excellent and access to the exhibits is really good for those with limited mobility. Unlike many similar exhibitions visitors are encouraged to indulge in touching the trains which makes it excellent for those with visual impairment. Access to the cafe which serves meals and light snacks and also has an outside viewing area is via a lift to the first floor. There are several video shows in the centre but please note that the one at the far end of the centre has a display of fast moving images between showings and for those who might have a problem with this it would be best to wait away from the area until the commentary starts. The designated toilet is on the ground floor and there is also a small shop on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Stanmore Country Park
Stanmore Country Park is reached by taking the A458 out of Bridgnorth towards Stourbridge and turning left at the 3rd roundabout, where it is signposted off to the right. It is sited on an disused RAF airfield and is level throughout and particularly suitable for wheelchairs. The paths have hard surfaces with benches at regular intervals and there is a good circular route past an RAF memorial garden.
Ray's Farm
Getting up close to the animals
Ray's Farm is situated in beautiful countryside in the South East of Shropshire. It offers visitors, of all ages and abilities, a chance to get close to the farm animals especially the pygmy goats. General access around the farmyard and the top of the paddocks is good. The lower paddocks, the bird hide and the trail are accessed via sloping grassed paths and are not wheelchair accessible.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here.
Wroxeter Roman City
Wroxeter Roman Baths
North of Ironbridge along the Severn Valley lies Wroxeter Roman City the site of ancient Viriconium. Although there is only partial access (at present ) to the site it is well worth a visit. It is essential to have a strong pusher with you. Information about the site is given via hand held audio units and it is possible to see all the site mentioned on the units although sometimes from a different angle. There is a shop and small museum and a disabled toilet. For those with visual impairment it is possible to arrange to access tactile exhibits in the education centre if prior notice is given. There are also braille guides available.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Wroxeter Vineyard
About half a mile further along the same road is Wroxeter Vineyard . It is possible to take a tour of the vineyard with lunch and wine included. Whilst the site is mainly level you may need the assistance of a pusher around parts of it. There is a disabled toilet, a cafe and a shop on site selling their produce.
PLACES TO STAY
Cloud Nine Escapes
The main entrance of the property
This attractive period cottage nestles beneath the famous Ironbridge in Shropshire and is ideally located for exploring all the attractions this popular tourist destination has to offer. The owners have made a great deal of effort to ensure that the ground floor of this property is suitable for guests of all abilities with spacious access to the lounge and dining areas and a ground floor twin room with tracking hoist from a profiling bed through sliding doors into the en-suite wet-room.
The outside eating area
Upstairs there are two further double bedrooms and a separate toilet which could be suitable for family members or carers/companions. The attractive and secluded garden with its large outside eating area provides a great place to chill out after a days sight seeing.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
The Best Western Valley Hotel
An exterior view of the hotel
The Best Western Valley Hotel is a country house hotel, set on the banks of the River Severn within the world heritage site of Ironbridge. It is located within a short driving distance of Telford Town Centre and the M54 motorway and is also convenient for visiting Wenlock Edge, South Shropshire, and the County Town , Shrewsbury. There is an attractive Park adjacent to the hotel with pathways enabling easy access to the centre of Ironbridge, only a short distance away.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Telford Hotel and Golf Resort
Telford Hotel and Golf Resort
The hotel is located within the World Heritage Site of the Ironbridge Gorge with views over the gorge and the River Severn. The hotel has a ground floor double accessible room with en-suite wet room and there is wheelchair access to the golf course with prior notice. It has been extended several times and was extensively re-furbished in 2009. Access to the grounds, golf course, and attractive bar/food area are by an internal platform lift to overcome the stairs. Alternatively there is external ramped access at the side of the main parking area.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
International Hotel Telford
The International Hotel
The hotel is situated in a convenient location within wheeling distance of the town centre and just 2 minutes' drive from junction 4 of the M54 motorway with easy access to the rest of the major motorway network. This hotel is linked to the Telford exhibition centre and is situated between the centre and the Holiday Inn. Telford town park is situated behind the hotel. It is also a good base for visiting the Ironbridge Gorge, Weston Park, Ludlow and South Shropshire, and Shrewsbury.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Telford North Premier Inn
An exterior view of the ramped hotel entrance
This Premier Inn is a small hotel situated 5 miles from Telford town centre and easily accessed off of the M54. The hotel has one fully accessible room with an en-suite wet room. The Clock Tower Inn and Restaurant is in an adjacent building which also has good access. The hotel's location close to the motorway network makes it an ideal base to explore the many attractions and places of interest throughout Shropshire.
For more detailed accessibility information please click here
Hadley Park Hotel
Hadley Park
Hadley Park is located within easy reach of the M54 with links tp the wider motorway network. The hotel is situated within its own grounds in a peaceful setting. Located within a new wing there is one attractive ground floor fully accessible room with an en-suite wetroom.
The patio area
The main manor house dates back to the 18th century however it has been tastefully extended and refurbished over recent years. It now has a large bar and restaurant, several more intimate reception rooms and conference/function facilities for up to 140 people in the Mulliner Suite.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Old Rectory of St James
The Old Rectory Exterior
This period Georgian house was originally the Rectory of St James’ Church from the 17th century to about 1975. Set in a quiet oasis, close to the bustling centre of Telford, the footpaths over the Shropshire hills and historic Ironbridge, the Old Rectory guest house now offers bed and breakfast accommodation with charm and character.
The Fosbrooke Room
The Fosbrooke room is a purpose built ground floor twin room with its own entrance (as well as access via the house front door), which allows easy access from the car park and garden via a gentle paved ramp. Designated parking is directly outside the room.
The room has full tea and coffee making facilities with selection of homemade biscuits and cookies for you to enjoy. There is a flat screen television with integral DVD player, USB playback and Freeview, Wireless Broadband is available in the room and throughout the Guest House.
The owners delight in providing the little extra touches including a vase of fresh flowers in your room, a tray of home made cakes that greet you on your arrival and a well cooked breakfast of locally produced ingredients with homemade bread and jams plus eggs from their own hens. They also provide a range of complimentary toiletries and luxury towelling dressing gowns.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Bulls Head Inn
The Bulls Head Inn Cottages
Secondly The Bulls Head Inn at Chelmarsh which offers one attractive self catering cottage and two comfortable bed and breakfast rooms set in the grounds of a village inn in the peaceful South Shropshire countryside. All three have ramped access and level pathways from the carpark. The self catering cottage has a lounge with wheelchair turning space and a compact kitchen. The double bedroom has right hand transfer to the bed and sufficient underneath clearance for a portable hoist. The en-suite wheel-in shower room allows side transfer to toilet. This could be suitable for an accompanied wheelchair user.
The twin bed and breakfast room has both right and left hand transfer to the divan beds. It has an en-suite wheel-in shower room with room to side transfer to the shower chair and toilet. This could be suitable for both accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users.
The double bed and breakfast room has right hand transfer to the bed with sufficient underneath clearance for a portable hoist. It has a compact en-suite wheel-in shower room with turning space in the shower area that allows side transfer to the toilet. Self propelled wheelchair users might need to remove their footrests to access the en-suite facilities. This could be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users.
Breakfast is served in the pleasant conservatory in the inn where guests can also enjoy homemade lunches and evening meals.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Lodge 14
Lodge 14 Astbury Falls
This excellent two bedroomed lodge has been purposefully designed for wheelchair accessiblity by the owners. It is situated on a small holiday park in peaceful countryside near Bridgnorth. The accessible bedroom has a ceiling track hoist from the bed to the en-suite shower room and the double bedroom (N.B. not wheelchair accessible) also has its own en-suite.
A view from the verandah
The wide verandah can be accessed via either of two sets of double doors and there is ample access to the table (with parasol) and six chairs where visitors can enjoy outside eating and the view across the lake. Alternatively the Bulls Head Inn at Chelmarsh serves home made food, has good accessibility and is only a 5 minute car journey away.
For more accessibility info from our on-site research, extra photos and a link to their own website please click here.