Splendours Of Historical Shropshire

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 2: This morning we travel to the area of Oswestry, home to the British Ironwork Centre. The Ironworks is an award-winning destination, famous for incredible art and sculpture, walking trails, fabulous shopping and an extensive café. They have the UK’s largest collection of decorative metalwork, national projects and beautiful finds from around the world. Whilst here you must visit the Artisan Village supporting local creators displaying their work, they also hold daily demonstrations and workshops. In the afternoon, we travel to Shrewsbury for a relaxing cruise on the River Severn. Our leisurely 45-minute journey will take us from Victoria Quay to English Bridge; the journey offers beautiful views and plenty of photo opportunities. On our return, we enjoy a very entertaining commentary by our captain. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on board.

Day 3: After breakfast we make the short journey to Blists Hill Victorian Town and step back in time to the dawn of the modern age. Experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian life, we will discover how technological advances and industry were changing people’s lives. You will be able to visit Victorian shops and cottages and exchange money for pounds, shillings and pence in the bank. Meet craftspeople demonstrating their trades and taste authentic food in the recreated working town. Our visit would not be complete without climbing aboard the little train and travel into the Blists Hill Mine. After our fascinating morning, the coach will take us down to the village of Ironbridge where you will have the opportunity to visit any of the other museums included in your ‘All Sites’ entrance ticket, at your leisure. The museums include the Coalport China Museum, the Jackfield Tile Museum and not forgetting the Ironbridge and Tollhouse itself.

Day 4: Our first excursion today takes us to the Black Country Museum Living Musuem one of the most extraordinary open-air museums in the country. Located in the heart of the West Midlands and covering 26 acres of former industrial land, the Black Country Museum is perfectly placed to tell the story of the world’s first industrial landscape. Over fifty authentic shops, houses and workshops have been reconstructed to preserve the character of the region. Take a trip on a tram to explore the canal-side village and wander around the original shops, houses and industrial workshops. Chat with the people that made this place home, from metalworkers and miners to nurses and schoolteachers, and even a pub landlord or two. In the afternoon we visit Wightwick Manor and Gardens. Wightwick Manor is a timber-framed Victorian manor house that sits in 17 acres of woodland and beautifully landscaped gardens. It boasts an envious collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings and William Morris interiors. Although the art and design collections stand out, most of the items at Wightwick are deeply personal. The Mander family left an archive full of letters and photos covering their whole lives. Geoffrey Mander was very clear the house should remain a home and not become an art gallery; the artwork is therefore shown in a domestic setting.

Day 5: After breakfast, we make our way home.

Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort

British Iron Works

Accommodation

Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort