The project began in late 2007. It has been developed in stages with the first phase of the project opening in April 2009, followed by the Visitor Centre in July and the Narrow Gauge Mine Railway in August.

Services offered

A Visitor Centre
A clay-mining experience simulation- which includes short train journey from the town to the woods and a 20 minute video dialogue of a Father and Son at the coal mine site
A gauge railway
An Incline Lift

The museum also delivers a range of learning activities for schools and the local community.

Success factors

Business/operational model

The museum is managed by and is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, one of the largest independent museums in the UK.

Visitors pay an entrance fee for the site and an additional fee applies to visit the clay mine.

Financing and delivery/procurement

Advantage West Midlands
European Regional Development Funding
Renaissance in the Regions
DCMS/Wolfson Foundation
British Postal Museum & Archive
The private sector

Measurement and Monitoring

The success of the development can be measured in the increase in the amount of visitors to the Blist Hill Victorian Town, which has increased by 30% since 2008.

It has also significantly contributed to the local economy and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region- in 2009 we welcomed over 550,000 visitors.

Future developments

Due to the success of the project, the museum is now looking to focus on some of the other museums in the group.

Contact details

Steve Miller
The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Legges Way, Madeley, Telford, Shropshire
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