Transfer of IGMT to the National Trust

The National Trust will take responsibility for all of the Museums currently cared for by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. This includes Blists Hill Victorian Town, Enginuity, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, the Old Furnace, the Darby houses, the Museum of the Gorge, the Ironbridge Tollhouse, the Tar Tunnel, Coalport China Museum, Jackfield Tile Museum and Broseley Pipeworks. It also covers IGMT’s entire Designated Collection, 35 listed building and Scheduled Monuments, a Library and Archive, Arboretum and the Quaker Burial Ground, as well as the Furnace Kitchen café and restaurant. 

Yes, the transfer to the National Trust is good for the Museum, and will secure the long-term future of the collections, buildings and monuments in its care. By coming into the fold of the National Trust, the Museum will become part of a large national heritage organisation and benefit from its extensive membership base and highly recognised brand. 

Ironbridge is home to one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in the UK. All of the Museum’s assets including its collection, which includes more than 400,000 objects, representing a rich and unique record of Britain’s industrial past will be transferred to the National Trust.

The transfer is expected to complete 2 March 2026. The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust will continue to trade up until the point of transfer. A timeline of key dates will be shared when they are confirmed.

Yes, it is currently business as usual, and all IGMT activity and events will continue as planned until the transfer is complete in early March. See our What's On page for further information.

After the transfer, your PASS or PASS PLUS will continue to give you entry to the Ironbridge museums (when they are under NT management) as well as to all National Trust places across the country, for the remainder of your pass validity.

From the date of transfer to the National Trust (currently 2 March 2026).

No. Your existing PASS or PASS PLUS, showing your name and expiry date, will be valid proof of membership. We recommend you also bring a form of photo ID to confirm the pass is yours.

No. For Gift Aid/tax reasons, the National Trust is unable to extend retail and catering discounts to Pass Plus holders. You will, however, enjoy unlimited entry to NT places and free parking at National Trust car parks.

After the transfer, your PASS or PASS PLUS will continue to give you entry to the Ironbridge museums (when they are under NT management) as well as to all National Trust places across the country, for the remainder of your pass validity.

Whilst the Museum remains in the care of IGMT the terms of entry for PASS and PASS PLUS holders will remain the same.

If your Direct Debit has recently renewed please ensure you collect your new ticket from one of our ticket desks before 1 March 2026 to ensure the printed expiry date is valid. You will continue to gain access to the Ironbridge museums up until closure. After the transfer, your PASS or PASS PLUS will continue to give you entry to the Ironbridge museums (when they re-open under NT management) as well as to all National Trust places across the country, for the remainder of your pass validity.

All Direct Debit renewals have been cancelled.

From 16 October we will no longer sell a PASS or PASS PLUS. We will be replacing annual passes with an 'any site' ticket providing you with access to any IGMT museum up until the transfer is complete.

Whilst the Museum remains in the care of IGMT PASS and PASS PLUS Terms and Conditions remain the same.  

You will continue to be able to gain free entry to the museums with an Art Fund pass whilst the Museum is under the care of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust up until the transfer is complete.

The Tesco Clubcard vouchers will continue to be accepted as a payment method whilst the Museum is under the care of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust up until the transfer is complete.

You will continue to be able to use YHA, Telford Centre Plus, Blue Light Card, English Heritage Member, Military, Blue Peter Badge and Museums Associations discounts whilst the Museum is under the care of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust up until the transfer is complete.

No. Your personal data was provided to IGMT solely for the administration of your PASS or PASS PLUS membership. This data will not transfer to the National Trust and will be securely deleted by IGMT once the transition is complete. If you would like to hear directly from the National Trust, you will need to register separately with NT using their normal sign-up processes.

Group and education bookings until date of transfer will take place as planned. We will be contacting all groups who have placed bookings.