The Iron Bridge
2 minutes on footCast in 1779 and the first of its kind in the world. It's free to walk across, and the view up the Gorge from the middle of it is the one everybody photographs.
Where it all began, in 2020
The Toy Box, Ironbridge.
A small shop with a big heart, tucked into the World Heritage Gorge, a stone's throw from the most famous bridge in the world. Come for the toys, stay for the whole afternoon.
Our very first doorway
Shropshire, TF8 7AG
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Small, snug, full to the brim.
This is where the mad idea started. It's the sort of shop you can't walk past: colour in the window, a proper welcome at the door, and far more inside than the frontage lets on. Little ones tend to go quiet the moment they're through it.
Find us
34 High Street, IronbridgeShropshire, TF8 7AG
Call the shop
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday10:00 to 17:00
Sunday11:00 to 16:00
Make a day of it
You're standing in the place that started the modern world.
We're not being dramatic. The Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the bridge at the end of our street was the first of its kind anywhere. Ten museums sit within a few minutes of our door, the Severn runs through the middle of it, and the whole valley is wooded, steep and quietly beautiful.
So please don't just dash in and dash off. Park up, take the morning, and let us be one lovely stop in a properly good day out.
Our favourite bit: the bears in our window are cousins of the ones still being stitched by hand a few minutes up the road.
Merrythought bears
Just up the roadBritain's traditional teddy bear maker has been hand-stitching mohair bears in this valley since 1930. We're proud to stock them, and prouder still that they're local.
The Gorge museums
Ten, all nearbyThe Museum of the Gorge is a short stroll along the Wharfage. Enginuity is hands-on and brilliant for children with energy to burn.
Blists Hill Victorian Town
A short driveA whole Victorian town brought back to life, with costumed shopkeepers, a working sweet shop and old money to spend. Children adore it.
The riverside
1 minute on footThe Severn runs right past the end of the street. Follow the towpath either way for a flat, pretty walk with ice cream at the end of it.
The other independents
All around usThe High Street, the Square and the Wharfage are full of little shops behind colourful doors. We're all rooting for each other down here.
If you'd like a plan
A rather good afternoon in Ironbridge.
1
from about 11
Park up and walk the bridge
Start at the bridge itself. Walk across, read the toll board, and let everyone get the photograph out of their system.
2
around noon
Lunch by the river
There are cafés, pubs and a very good chip shop within a few minutes of the bridge. Eat outside if the weather is behaving.
3
early afternoon
Come and see us at number 34
This is the bit we're biased about. Take your time, touch things, ask us anything. If it's a gift, we'll wrap it properly.
4
mid afternoon
Pick a museum, any museum
Enginuity if they need to run about, the Museum of the Gorge if you want the whole story in half an hour.
5
before you go
A wander and an ice cream
Amble the Wharfage, poke about in the other independents, and finish by the water.
The boring but useful bit
Before you set off.
Parking
There's parking around the Gorge including car parks near the bridge and at the museums, plus a park-and-ride at busy times. The village is small and popular, so weekends fill early. Come mid-morning and you'll be fine.
Where to eat
Cafés, tea rooms, pubs and a proper chip shop, all within a few minutes' walk. Plenty of it is child-friendly and most of it has a view of the water.
Good to know
The Gorge is steep in places and the High Street is old, so pushchairs are doable but bring your patience. We'll always help you get through the door with one.
Coming the other way? Our bigger shop is half an hour up the road.