✦ Concept demo· Designed by Elev8Depictions for The Water Rat ·Not the live site
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The Water Rat riverside pub at Ironbridge on a summer day, with picnic benches out front
Riverside Pub · Gardens · Rooms · Ironbridge Gorge

On the banks of the Severn.

A relaxed riverside country pub in the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge. Fresh seasonal food, hand-pulled ales, secluded riverside gardens, and six boutique rooms for the night. Eat, drink, and stay a while.

★★★★ 4.4 / 5 on TripAdvisor Riverside gardens Dogs welcome
6
Boutique Ensuite Rooms
£15
Lunch, 2 Courses
2020
Reopened & Refurbished
10 min
Riverside Walk to the Bridge
The team at The Water Rat, Ironbridge, ready to welcome guests
Sarah, Mandy & Chef Andy · your welcome at the Water Rat
A warm welcome

A proper riverside pub, run by people who love it here.

Nestled on the banks of the River Severn in historic Ironbridge, The Water Rat is a modern British pub where good food, friendly service and great views come together.

Reopened in 2020 after a full refurbishment, the pub pairs a character-filled bar and dining rooms with secluded gardens that run all the way down to the river path. Pop in for a pint, settle in for a Sunday roast, or stay the night in one of our boutique rooms next door.

You will find a warm welcome from Sarah, Mandy and Chef Andy, a family-friendly feel, and the kind of riverside setting that makes you want to stay for one more. Book direct with us and you deal with the pub itself, not a booking platform taking a cut.

Eat · Drink · Unwind

Great food, riverside views.

Honest, seasonal dishes made fresh in our kitchen every day, from pub classics and signature pies to a daily fresh fish board. Dine in our character-filled rooms or out in the riverside garden.

£15
Lunch, 2 coursesAvailable Monday to Friday
£25
Dinner, 2 courses & a drinkAvailable Monday to Friday
Led by Chef Andy Taylor

From the famous gravy to the daily fish board.

Our kitchen is led by Andy Taylor, who has cooked alongside Michelin-starred Tom Kerridge and brought a daily fresh fish board to the Water Rat. Everything is homemade with care, from hand-cut chips to indulgent puddings.

We are proud of our many gluten-free options, including gluten-free pizzas. Just let us know your dietary needs when you book.
A sharing platter of meats, breads and dips at The Water Rat
A plate of ribs and hand-cut chips
A freshly plated main course
The Riverside Gardens

Secluded gardens, right down to the river.

We are the only waterside pub with gardens on this side of the Severn. Sweeping lawns lead down to the river path, with sheltered seating, parasols and a perfect spot to relax with a drink and watch the water go by. Dogs and campervans welcome.

The riverside beer garden at The Water Rat with red parasols and seating on the lawn
Riverside beer garden
Decked terrace seating overlooking the greenery of the Gorge
The wooded River Severn gorge seen from the garden
Messing about by the river

Pull up a chair by the water, and let the Severn do the rest.

The Water Rat · Ironbridge Gorge
Tap the water
Stay the Night

Six boutique rooms, a riverside walk from the bridge.

Set in a Georgian house beside the inn, our large, airy ensuite rooms have high ceilings, powerful showers, 50-inch TVs and soft seating areas. Every rate includes a full English cooked breakfast, from £89 per night.

Classic Double

from £89
per night, B&B
Calm, modern and quiet

A comfortable double in the Georgian house next door, with a sparkling ensuite, powerful shower and everything you need for a restful riverside stay. Breakfast included.

Double bed Ensuite shower 50-inch smart TV Cooked breakfast Free parking

Superior Garden View

from £109
per night, B&B
More like a mini suite

Spacious, high-ceilinged and light, with a soft seating area, coffee table and wine glasses left ready in the room, because staying away should feel like a treat. Garden and river views.

Extra spacious Soft seating area Garden / river view 50-inch smart TV Cooked breakfast

Family Room

from £129
per night, B&B
A double with an adjoining twin

Our family room pairs a double bedroom with an adjoining twin, ideal for families exploring the Gorge and its ten museums. Spacious, bright and a short stroll from everything.

Double + twin Sleeps 4 Ensuite 50-inch smart TV Cooked breakfast
Our most popular package

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for two.

Stay the night, wake to a full cooked breakfast, and enjoy a two-course dinner in the restaurant. Book it through the booking system and your dinner table is reserved automatically, no second phone call, no clash.

£110 / for two, from

Indicative direct rates shown, breakfast included. Live availability and pricing run through the booking system.

The character-filled bar and snug at The Water Rat

Hand-pulled ales by the river.

The bar is well stocked with a rotating selection of real ales, ciders and lagers, alongside wines and spirits. Pull up by the fire in the snug, or take it out to the garden and watch the Severn drift past.

Happy Hours
Premium pints & wines, £5 Fridays 5 to 7pm · Saturdays 2 to 5pm. Plus soft drink & food offers.
  • Rotating real ales & local ciders
  • Wines, lagers, spirits & soft drinks
  • Dog friendly, in the bar and the restaurant

Somewhere to celebrate.

From a relaxed game of pool to a private party for the people who matter, The Water Rat has a spot for it, all in a unique riverside setting full of character.

The games room at The Water Rat with a pool table and beamed ceiling

The Games Bar

Pool, a relaxed pint and good company. The perfect place to settle in on a lazy afternoon or warm up the evening.

Pool tableRelaxed barRiverside
A bright dining space at The Water Rat set for an event

The Rat Den

Our private space for birthdays, reunions and small gatherings, with its own bar and facilities. Let us take care of the food and drink while you enjoy the company.

Private hireOwn barTailored menus
Enquire about The Rat Den

An attractive riverside pub with rooms.

4.4 / 5
★★★★
TripAdvisor
#3
of 12 Ironbridge inns
TripAdvisor
10/10
for breakfast
Guest reviews
★★★★★
A warm and inviting welcome

"The warm and inviting ambiance immediately sets the tone for an enjoyable meal. The duck leg, with its perfectly crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, was complemented by a homemade hoisin sauce."

In & Around Magazine · Fleur & Nik Abel
★★★★★
A lovely riverside setting

"An attractive riverside pub with boutique rooms in a lovely Gorge location. Lovely garden and river views, and a real family feel with the warmth of the fire."

Published review · Ironbridge
★★★★★
Breakfast, ten out of ten

"Comfortable rooms with a lovely garden and river view, and the cooked breakfast was 10 out of 10. We will be back to explore more of the Gorge."

Guest review · TripAdvisor
Why book direct

One booking. Table and room, in sync.

Book direct through this site and it goes straight to the pub, with no platform taking a cut. Better still, your table and your room run through one system, so a stay with dinner reserves your table automatically and there is never a double booking.

Booked through a platform

  • Commission taken on every room booking
  • Tables and rooms handled in separate systems
  • Dinner with a room booked by a second phone call
  • You are a booking reference, not a guest

Direct with The Water Rat

  • Best available rate, no commission
  • One system for tables and rooms
  • Stay with dinner reserves your table automatically
  • A real welcome from the people behind the bar

On Buildwas Road, by the river.

Easy to find and easy to park, with free parking on site and a gentle riverside walk into the heart of Ironbridge, its famous bridge and its ten museums. Campervans and motorhomes welcome for overnight stops.

Address
The Water Rat, 29 Buildwas Road,
Ironbridge, Telford, TF8 7BJ
Parking
Free on-site car park · Campervans welcome

Come and see us.

Book a table or a room through the booking system for the best direct rate, or just call the pub and have a chat. We will have everything ready for you.

Opening & serving times
Mon to Thu12 to 3pm & 5 to 9pm
Fri & Sat12 to 9pm
Sunday12 to 5pm
Food servedFrom 12pm daily
Elev8Depictions

Like what you see?

This is a free concept demo we designed for The Water Rat, built mobile-first from your own photos. The booking system you just tried runs tables and rooms through one place, syncing with the channel manager of your choice, so a room booked with dinner reserves a table automatically and you never get a clash. It is ready to go live whenever you are.

Demo content and imagery belong to The Water Rat, Ironbridge. Design and build by Elev8Depictions.