The Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire’s river Severn valley offer three unique venues for memorable wedding celebrations including a recreated Victorian Town depicting life more than 100 years ago with costumed characters.
At Blists Hill Victorian Town there’s a pub, shops and cottages and even a historic fairground for guests to enjoy. The Club Room, situated above the New Inn Public House, is a lovely intimate setting for a civil marriage ceremony for up to 40 guests.
After the ceremony drinks and canapés can be served in the Tap Room and Bar below, where an open fire, bare floors and traditional beer pumps add to the Victorian atmosphere. For a romantic touch the bride and groom can take a trip through the Victorian Town in a horse and cart or meet the chimney sweep for good luck!
In the lower part of the Town the wood and glass-fronted Forest Glen Pavilion overlooks the Village Green where guests can enjoy
reception drinks on summer evenings. Accommodating up to 100 people, it’s also a great venue for a traditional Victorian sing-a-long and is licensed for civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. The Pavilion also overlooks the historic fairground with its bright colours and familiar music; along with Victorian steam gallopers this can give wedding guests a real fun, vintage experience.
Heart of World Heritage Site
At Coalbrookdale, the historic heart of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, the former Coalbrookdale Company’s Boardroom can now play host to a civil marriage or civil partnership ceremony for up to 100 people. Approached via an ornate staircase with cast iron balustrade, its beautiful oak floor, ornate cast iron fireplace and elegant décor make the perfect setting for a memorable wedding.
Guests can view the beautiful works of art to be found in the adjacent Coalbrookdale Gallery, while they enjoy reception drinks and canapés. What is more the dramatic historic monuments and heavily wooded Gorge make a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs.
The most popular reception room is the Covered Bays, a more informal summer space with a real ‘wow’ factor. A brick floor and cast iron pillars give the space a rustic, barn-like feel and is ideal for undercover drinks receptions, hog roasts or barbecues for up to 150 guests.
A short stroll across the courtyard is the Engine Shop. With its cathedral-like ceiling and fun
interactives in the adjacent Enginuity design and technology centre, this is a magnificent setting for a wedding breakfast and can later be transformed for an evening reception for up to 250 guests. For more information about weddings at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and to request a wedding pack please contact the Wedding Co-ordinator on 01952 435 935 or email corporate@ironbridge.org.uk; information about the museums can be found on www.ironbridge.org.uk.
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