Visiting THE FIRST Iron Bridge in the World!

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!steemitworldmap 52.627302 lat -2.485455 long First Iron Bridge in the World d3scr

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Every time the weather is nice, we think of somewhere to go. So basically it is simple finger-pointing on the maps, and there it goes. This time we decided to go to the Iron Bridge. I think it was because the bridge looked so good in the pictures. You kind of want to see things like this for yourself, right?

Why Iron Bridge?

According to the English Heritage website[^1], Iron Bridge goes back as far as 1779. And here comes the significance of the bridge - it was THE first iron bridge in the world! And it still has its original ironwork designed by Abraham Darby III. Presently, under the protection of English heritage.

Obviously, the area was stunning. It was a bit hilly and green. Tidy as well. The bridge went over the river Severn and wasn't long. Impressive structure, beautiful work. Something like this is well worth the visit. You don't get to see a lot. It is a small town, after all. But you have a beautiful sitting area by the bridge, cafes nearby and as we later learnt also a heritage Museum for the Iron bridge and surroundings.

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On arrival to the town, we've crossed the bridge which is pedestrians only and decided to walk down the river without knowing where we would end up. The path was pleasant and quiet. Soon we reached the Coalport China Museum. A change from green surroundings was refreshing. And not only that, we were seriously considering going in. The industrial look and the red brick "cones" were soooo tempting... but we continued the walk.

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Are we lost?

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The funny thing about the past (2012) - mobile batteries weren't as good and no 4G data. You go rural - you are on your own.

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It would have been better to visit the museum and head back. But no, we were too adventurous cand a bit greedy to pay the ticket price. And so we end up in... woodland, following a spring. Completely lost and without a signal, we finally saw some roofs and buildings. The only problem was - no entrance in sight, just fence. We walked, and we walked... until FINALLY, tired and really bursting for a pee, we climbed over it to the Blists Hill Victorian Town car park. It was the best feeling EVER! With free toilets and food to buy, we were the happiest bunnies ever. And so tempted to visit the place, but it was already late in the afternoon, and seeing how far on a map we went it was sensible to head back.

This time we also stopped by the Jackfield Tile Museum; unfortunately, it was closing. Again the red brick and industrial look was similar to what we have seen earlier at the Coalport China Museum. Maybe a bit more "grande".

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So, remember, don't stroll further than the Coalport China Museum because turning around and going back is better than being lost in the woods! 🌲 🌳

Here is a great adventurous path we took (more or less). You get an idea, right?

Source - Google Maps

Final Thoughts?

It was a good 5 miles of plain walking.
Tiring? Hell yeah!!!
Worth it? Not so sure...
But Iron Bridge was like an icing on the cake!

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[1]: English Heritage (2019). Iron Bridge. [Online] Available: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/iron-bridge/ Last accessed: 01 September 2019.

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://pickatravel.eu/visiting-the-first-iron-bridge-in-the-world/

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