We are the Telford & East Shropshire Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Coalbrookdale boasts the first public laid out walking trail in Britain, the Sabbath Walks. Nowadays you also enjoy The Shropshire Way, The Telford T50 50 Mile Trail, and can explore some of the highlights of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site along the River Severn and the Coalbrookdale valleys, the birthplace of the industrial revolution. A number of varied, waymarked routes intersect on this walk. This very scenic, wooded, narrow valley, with its pretty dingles, is also an SSSI and Local Nature Reserve. There will be an opportunity to explore Abraham Darby's original blast furnaces and their furnace pools, in the free to visit exhibition section, in the Museum of Iron's grounds, and see many other places associated with the first ironmasters.
The sides of the Ironbridge Gorge and Coalbrookdale are steep and there are sections of uphill steps (we will take them slowly). At this time of year one can expect some mud in the woods, fields and dingles, so walkers who use poles may prefer to bring them. Walkers can use the free car park at the rear of the Coalbrookdale Community Centre (Watercourses CP) in Darby Rd, before the walk and eat a packed lunch and use facilities there afterwards (tea and coffee will be provided). The adjacent Museum of Iron has free to use toilets before the walk, it also has an outdoor picnic area, with benches, if you want to eat your packed lunch there. The Coalbrookdale Inn opposite the Community Centre serves bar food and there is The Furnace Kitchen bar and restaurant at the Museum.
Watercourses & Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge Community Centre Car Park, Rear Entrance of Centre, Darby Road, (off Wellington Road) Coalbrookdale, Telford TF8 7DX
