Help & FAQs

Please find answers to common questions from visitors below.

Do I pay for parking?

We use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at all of our Museum-owned car parks. We record the registration numbers of vehicles entering and leaving a site and calculate a charge based on the length of stay. The tariff is £1.50 per hour up to a maximum of £6. There is a 30 minute free period to allow pick-up & drop-off.

You can pay for parking with a debit/credit card at machines on-site or online within 48 hours of your visit.

Income generated from car parking helps us to carry out our twin charitable aims of education and heritage conservation.

Where possible, we offer free Blue Badge parking. Please speak to our front of house team upon arrival.

PASS PLUS holders can park in any IGMT car park for free during their daytime visit. Simply show your PASS PLUS at the front desk when you arrive at any of our sites to receive a free parking voucher. T&Cs apply.

Is there a cash point or Bureau de Change in Ironbridge?

There is a free cash point in the entrance building at Blists Hill Victorian Town and at the Co-op in Ironbridge.

Ironbridge Post Office can be found in the Chemist in the Square - money can be withdrawn over the counter and there is also a Euro foreign exchange service.  

Do the annual PASS and PASS PLUS tickets really last for a year?

Annual PASS and PASS PLUS tickets allow unlimited daytime visits to each of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, during normal opening hours, for 12 months. For full terms and conditions click here.

Can I bring my dog?

We love to see dogs at Blists Hill Victorian Town.

They’re welcome to visit with you so long as they’re kept on their leads. Sadly, they are not permitted during any evening events or when our Heavy Horse event is taking place.

Unfortunately our other indoor museum sites are restricted to assistance dogs only.

If you have any doubt, please email tic@ironbridge.org.uk.

 

What is there for my children to do?

During most school holidays there are family-friendly activities across many of the Museums.

Throughout the year children will especially enjoy a visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town, where there are many family-friendly activities including a Victorian Fairground and Horse & Carriage rides in the summer and the Madeley Wood Company Outdoor Adventure family attraction throughout the year.

Enginuity is child-focused and ideal for children of all ages, with lots of interactive exhibits and games to engage children's interest and drop-in workshops during the school holidays.

There is a dedicated Family Gallery at Coalport China Museum with fun themed activities. At Coalport China Museum and Jackfield Tile Museum you can get creative at drop-in ceramic workshops.  

Check out the Events Calendar for full details.

Children must be accompanied by an adult while visiting.

 

 

Are the Museums suitable for visitors with disabilities?

Whilst all sites have some form of access for visitors with disabilities, some are more accessible than others. Please view more detailed information here. Alternatively call Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on 01952 433 424.

Where can I stay?

There are many hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and campsites within a few miles of the Museums. You can visit www.visitshropshire.co.uk for full accommodation listings.

 

What can we do if it rains?

The Museum sites are indoors, except for Blists Hill Victorian Town, which means there is plenty to see, even on a wet day.

 

How long does a visit last?

There are ten Museums to visit so you will need a couple of days to see them all.  These are our recommended visit times:

Blists Hill Victorian Town 3+ hours
Coalport China Museum 1.5 hours
Tar Tunnel 45 minutes
Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron 1.5 hours
Darby Houses 1 hour
Enginuity 2 hours
Iron Bridge & Tollhouse 30 minutes
Jackfield Tile Museum 1.5 hours
Broseley Pipeworks 1 hour 

Is there a discount for a group visit?

We offer reduced admission rates for groups of fifteen people or more. Group leaders and coach driver are given free admission.  More details about group visits can be found here.

Who do I contact about educational visits to the Museum?

The Museum’s Education Department can offer advice on all aspects of making an educational visit. More details about educational visits can be found here.

Is entry free for carers?

Carers are admitted free when they are with a full paying adult/child who they can show they are caring for. The full paying adult/child may gain access with a single site ticket, a PASS or PASS PLUS.  

We accept the following documentation:

  • A valid Blue Badge
  • A disabled person’s bus pass
  • A letter proving entitlement to Carer’s Allowance
  • A letter proving entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children under 16
  • A letter proving entitlement for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • A DID card
  • An Access card

PLEASE NOTE – Free entry for carers is not applicable for some of our events. Please refer to the specific event listing for more details.

 

Where can I collect my PASS/PASS PLUS tickets?

You can collect your PASS/PASS PLUS tickets from any of our ticket offices. These can be found at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Enginuity, Museum of Iron, Coalport China Museum, Jackfield Tile Museum.

Do I need to choose a time slot when I book my tickets?

If you buy your tickets online you will not be asked to select a date or time to visit us. This means you can turn up with your pre-bought tickets on whichever day suits you.

 

Tickets can also be bought upon your arrival.

Are all the museums open throughout the year?

Each museum has different opening times which change to suit different times of the year. For example, our opening times are usually reduced in winter due to darker mornings and evenings.

Important information -

Please note some sites temporarily close at different points of the year so please check the museum opening hours before your visit.

I have a discount. How can I use it?

Discounts can only be used when buying a ticket in person. Please ask a member of our front of house team when you arrive.

My child has a Blue Peter Badge, can they visit for free?

Anyone with a valid Blue Peter Badge can visit our museums for free. There is currently no option to pre-book a free ticket. Please turn up on the day of your visit with the valid Blue Peter Badge and speak to a member of our front of house team.

How do I use my Tesco Clubcard points to visit Blists Hill Victorian Town?

Visit the Tesco Clubcard website and search for 'Ironbridge - Blists Hill Victorian Town'.

Follow the listed instructions explaining how you can convert your Clubcard points to vouchers. These vouchers can then be exchanged for a single entry ticket to Blists Hill Victorian Town. If you choose, this ticket can be upgraded to an annual PASS or PASS PLUS at the front desk by paying the difference.

Please note, these vouchers cannot be used for any of our special events, such as Bonfire Night or Victorian Christmas Weekends. Other T&Cs apply. Please visit the Tesco Clubcard website for more information.