Ironbridge Gorge Reflections

Ironbridge Gorge is known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The deep gorge cut by the River Severn in Shropshire allowed access to the raw materials necessary for the early industrialists to manufacture iron and ceramics. The iconic cast-iron bridge that spans the gorge was opened in 1781, connecting the industrial and mining towns of Coalbrookdale, Madeley and Broseley, and today the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as the towns and villages in the area, which also include Coalport and Jackfield, Iron Bridge Gorge is also home to 10 museums. Ironbridge Gorge Reflections features an exciting collection of historic and modern pictures that are individually merged to reveal how the area has changed over the decades. Each of the 180 pictures in this book combines a recent colour view of Ironbridge Gorge with the matching sepia archive scene. Through the split-image effect, readers can see how streets, buildings and everyday life have transformed with the passing of time. This fascinating visual chronicle ingeniously reflects past and present glimpses of Ironbridge Gorge and will be of interest to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the area.