Scheduled MonumentsEnglandThe Iron Bridge

The Iron Bridge

England
List entry 1015325
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

The Iron Bridge is a cast iron arch bridge spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, completed in 1779. It was designed by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard and cast by Abraham Darby III, representing the first major use of cast iron in structural engineering and marking a significant milestone in the development of iron construction technology. The bridge consists of a single span of approximately 30 metres, with the arch and supporting members cast as iron rather than wrought, demonstrating innovative metallurgical and engineering practice for its period. Its construction at Coalbrookdale, a centre of iron production during the Industrial Revolution, made it both a practical and symbolic achievement, and it remains one of the most important monuments of early industrial Britain.

The Iron Bridge is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1015325. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is The Iron Bridge?

The Iron Bridge is a cast iron arch bridge spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, completed in 1779. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1015325.

Who is responsible for protecting The Iron Bridge?

The Iron Bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1015325.

What other scheduled monuments are near The Iron Bridge?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bedlam Furnaces (0.6 km), Lilleshall Beam Blowing Engines (2.1 km), Blists Hill Iron Furnaces (2.2 km).

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