Autumn and Winter fun at Ironbridge Gorge Museums
From a fireworks extravaganza in a Victorian Town and the chance to meet Father Christmas in his woodland wonderland to evening entertainment with a 1900s twist, there’s plenty of family fun in store across the Ironbridge Gorge in the coming months as the museum Trust unveils details of its exciting autumn and winter event programme.
Halloween comes early this year, with a half-term full of themed events at sites across the Gorge. Starting on Monday 24 October, younger visitors can search for witches, cauldrons and spooky spells at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron. Coalbrookdale Cauldrons, a story-based tour around the museum is suitable for children aged between four and seven, will take place from Monday 24 to Friday 28 October from 11am.
The residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town will be getting in on the Halloween action too, with a range of themed activities running throughout half-term. As well as learning about how the Victorians started many of the spooky traditions we’re familiar with today, families can test their nerve with a showing of a Victorian horror film or try their hand at traditional parlour games.
Getting November off to a dazzling start, on Saturday 5 November, Fireworks Night returns to Blists Hill for the first time since 2019. With the chance to explore the historic town by night, visitors can enjoy a dazzling spectacle of fireworks, set to music, on the Green, as well as a selection of delicious treats thanks to a range of visiting food vendors. The town’s iconic pub, The New Inn, will also be open for a warming tipple. Tickets start from £10 for children and £15 for adults.
Moving into the festive season, from 26 November, Coalbrookdale will transform into a Winter Wonderland as Father Christmas makes his return to his stunning woodland grotto. Best suited for children aged between three and nine, families can wander through the glittering Christmas forest before meeting the main man himself in his woodland glade. Tickets cost £12 per child, which includes a gift, sweet treat and a satsuma. Each child can be accompanied by up to three adults.
On December 3, 4, 10 and 11, the halls of Blists Hill will be well and truly decked for the launch of the town’s popular Christmas Weekends. Visitors can cosy-up to the open fires in the cottages as they learn about a traditional Victorian Christmas from the townsfolk, join in with carol singing and enjoy the sounds of a Victorian Christmas with the town’s brass band. Father Christmas will be paying a visit too, meeting families in his beautiful grotto. Tickets will cost £15 for children and £23 for adults. Pre-booking is essential.
New for 2022, Blists Hill will be open for four very special evenings with a difference, with the chance to explore the Victorian Town by lamplight. Visitors can browse for unusual gifts in the beautifully decorated shops, buy delicious festive food, enjoy live seasonal entertainment and soak up the traditional atmosphere. Children are welcome, but the Trust recommends that the Winter Wonderland and Christmas Weekends may be better suited to younger visitors. Tickets for Christmas Lates start at £10 for children and £17.50 for adults.
Abbie King, Chief Operating Officer at The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said: “We have an exciting programme of events in store throughout the autumn and winter and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to our sites across the Ironbridge Gorge.
“As well as good, old-fashioned family fun at our half term, fireworks and Christmas events, we’ve also introduced some new events like our Christmas Lates, which we hope will give visitors the chance to explore Blists Hill in a completely new light as they get ready for the festive season alongside our townsfolk.”
Discounted entry is available for all events for PASS PLUS holders. For further information and to book tickets visit ironbridge.org.uk
