A summer of childhood and play

This summer is all about childhood and play at Ironbridge Valley of Invention.

Make a paper kite or boat at Blists Hill Victorian Town as you enjoy the kinds of games played by Victorian children, experiments with bits and bobs to make mechanical toys at Enginuity or make toys from clay at Coalport China Museum. A highlight of the holidays is our annual steam gala.

Book tickets

  1. A girl and a boy on stilts being helped by a lady in Victorian costume.

    A Summer of Victorian Childhood

    BLISTS HILL VICTORIAN TOWN | Try your hand at old-fashioned games, and get creative making your own kite, hat or boat

    Find out more

  2. A girl making a mechanical toy featuring a women in historic clothing with a boy in the background.

    Magical Mechanical Toys

    ENGINUITY | Make your own mechanical toy using a series of moving parts including cams, levers and springs

    Find out more

  3. Three mini clay people figures, with boy and girl in the background.

    Clay Play!

    COALPORT CHINA MUSEUM | Get your hands dirty at our animals and boats themed drop-in clay modelling workshops

    Find out more

A man, dressed in Victorian costume, is driving a large green steam engine. The engine has two large rear wheels and one roller at the front. There is smoke coming out of a chimney stack on the front of the engine.

Steam Gala

9-10 August 2025
BLISTS HILL VICTORIAN TOWN

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the Industrial Revolution as the streets of Blists Hill  are brought to life by a variety of visiting Steam Engines.

Find out more

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