The Severn Valley: Industry, Heritage and Culture

Connecting Wales with the Bristol Channel, the River Severn was a major route for raw materials, manufactured goods and services before the arrival of railways and improved roads in the nineteenth century. This tour visits three places in the Severn Valley. Coalbrookdale in Shropshire is often described as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the local Ironbridge Gorge Museum is dedicated to the history of the iron industry, Coalport China and tile making. The Wyre Forest in Worcestershire includes Kidderminster, the carpet town. Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire is home to the first iron-framed building in the world and an eighteenth-century model prison which is now open to the public. The tour also includes a boat trip on the Severn from Shrewsbury, and finishes with a journey from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive independently at The Valley Hotel from 15.00
This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and a talk by Dr Malcolm Dick - ‘Shrewsbury in the long eighteenth century’.

Day 2: The Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Today is dedicated to the huge site at Ironbridge. Situated at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge on the River Severn, Ironbridge is often described as being the “Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution”. It takes its name from, the famous Iron Bridge, a 30-metre cast iron bridge that was built across the river in 1779. There are 35 historic sites within this World Heritage site of the Ironbridge Gorge including ten museums spread along the valley. Our day will include a photo opportunity at the famous bridge, the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, with the opportunity to visit the “Darby” houses that belonged to the Darby family of ironmasters. Time will be allowed for lunch and the afternoon will include Coalport China Museum and the Jackfield Tile Museum. We finish our visit with Blists Hills Open Air Museum.  Return to the hotel at a talk by Paul Atterbury, followed by dinner with wine.

Day 3: Shrewsbury
Our first visit today is to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, with its Main Mill being the first iron-framed building in the world, and an important industrial heritage site.  Known as the grandparent of skyscrapers, the Main Mill opened in 1797 as a purpose-built flax mill, and has since grown and been repurposed and adapted many times. After free time for lunch (own expense) and time to explore Shrewsbury independently, we take a boat trip on the River Severn. The 45 minute cruise will take us past manty interesting sites including Shrewsbury Castle, the Quantum Leap sculpture, medieval St Marys Church, and , then return to hotel for a second talk by Malcolm: ‘Industry and Transport in the Wyre Forest’.

Day 4: Kidderminster and Bridgnorth
We spend this morning in the historic Wyre Forest area, with a visit to the Carpet Museum at Kidderminster. On arrival we have an introductory talk and light refreshments followed by a demonstration at the UK’s only museum dedicated to celebrating the heritage, art and industry of carpet making. We have time to view the machinery and archives at this interesting museum.  We then coach to the historic market town of Bridgnorth, situated on the River Severn, for free time for lunch (own expense). The town is split into High and Low Town, divided by the river, and connected by the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway.  We end the day with a trip on the Severn Valley Railway. On the journey to Kidderminster, we follow the river, stopping a restored stations with period features. Return to the hotel around 17.00.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion

Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 40 passengers. 

INCLUDED

• Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the three-star Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Welcome reception
• First night private three-course dinner with wine at the hotel
• Second and third dinners at the hotel restaurant
• All visits and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Coach touring as per the itinerary
• Dr Malcolm Dick throughout
• One talk from Paul Atterbury
• Tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Double for sole use supplement - from £216
• Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
• Holiday insurance
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge

Three star country house hotel located in the heart of Ironbridge, with a riverside setting and parkland views, offering a bar, restaurant, and garden with terrace. The comfortable bedrooms offer modern facilities including TV, telephone, WIFI, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Parking is complimentary. The nearest train station is Telford Central, located around 7 miles away.

Hotel Website

MORE INFO

Your Tour Lecturer

Dr Malcolm Dick is Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham after directing the University’s Centre for West Midlands History for many years. He has led tours for Travel Editions on James Watt and the industrial heritage of the Black Country and is President of the Kidderminster Historical Society and Chairman of the Black Country Society. Malcolm has written extensively on the history of the West Midlands region and in 2019 he was awarded an OBE for ‘outstanding services to History in the West Midlands’. 

Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.  

You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day. 

For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation. 

The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.