Ironbridge &amp; Bridgenorth

Another day trip from Ludlow just to see what happens at these nearby towns. About a 50 minute drive, we took the B roads which are a lot narrower and not necessarily a lot less busy. The countryside is amazingly beautiful and you can see for miles with only undulating hills to spoil the view.

First stop, Ironbridge where we found the first iron bridge of its kind in the world and a monument to the industry that began here. The bridge was built in 1779 across the River Severn and used to cost a halfpenny to cross each way. There was no one way fee, only a return of 1 penny. In 1934 they closed the bridge to vehicular traffic, and today it is a pedestrian only bridge. The last person to pay the toll was Prince Charles with a 1779 penny to commemorate the opening of the bridge. It was built with a budget of £3250 but ended up costing perhaps £6000! Same old story.....
The town of Ironbridge itself is very pretty and surrounded by tree lined hills

Water cooling towers in the background

We had been told by one of the Ludlow market ladies about the Eley's Pork Pie shop in Ironbridge and that we shouldn't miss it. We didn't have time last year but we made time this year and wow! Of all the pork pies I have eaten, and that is a lot a lot, these pies are the very best. John had a long old chat with the pieman, got all his secrets and told him all his. The shop was very busy and we left with a medium sized pie. We should have got a large one, it was fantastic.

Him telling his secrets

Next stop, Bridgenorth a market town with a central market building right in the middle of the town, just like Ledbury.

Wonderful Cushion Shop

It has a 12th century castle, or what's left of it, another one blown up by our friend Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War. The remains lean at an angle of 15 degrees 3 times the lean on Pisa!