Telford
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Telford from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Telford's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry. Skip this section and go to place by numbers
The Iron Bridge
The Gorge
The Iron Bridge, built in 1779, was the first major bridge to use cast iron and marked a turning point in British engineering. It represents the Industrial Era's peak innovation.
Ketley Hall
Ketley
Ketley Hall, an 18th-century brick house, was home to Joseph Reynolds post-1793 and later Henry Williams of the Shropshire Canal Company around 1818.
Church of All Saints
Wellington
Designed in 1790 by George Steuart, All Saints Church features ornamental round-head windows. It includes an interior monument to Martha Oliver by Peter Hollins from 1839.
Ironbridge Gorge
Barrow
The official listing for all World Heritage sites is held by UNESCO and can be found on their website.
The Old Furnace at Coalbrookdale Ironworks
The Gorge
The Old Furnace at Coalbrookdale Ironworks is a historic site where, in 1709, the first iron was smelted using coke.
Old Row Cottages
Dawley Hamlets
Old Row Cottages, built in the 1750s, housed Horsehay Ironworks workmen. This long row of brick cottages features mid-18th century architecture and retains historical significance.
Church of St Mary
Ketley
The Church of St Mary, built in 1838, features a stone structure with a West tower showcasing late Norman style, including unique bell openings.
The Iron Bridge
The Gorge
The Iron Bridge, designed by Abraham Darby III in 1778, was the first bridge made of cold-blast iron, featuring a semicircular arch and now serves as a footbridge.
Muxton House
Donnington and Muxton
A 19th-century red brick house featuring sash windows, a symmetrical front with a central porch supported by Tuscan columns, and distinctive chimney stacks.
The Library House
The Gorge
11, The Library House is a mid-19th-century refronting of an 18th-century core with notable sash windows and a prominent gabled wing.
New Row Cottages
Dawley Hamlets
Built in the early 1830s, New Row Cottages were constructed by the Coalbrookdale Company for principal workmen of the Horsehay Ironworks.
Barn South West of Old Hall
Wellington
17th-century timber-framed barn with brick infill and tile roof, later expanded with brick at both ends.
Christ Church
Wellington
Christ Church, designed by Thomas Smith in 1838, features Gothic yellow brick architecture with stone detailing and distinctive turrets and pinnacles.
Coalbrookdale Institute (Premises of Yha)
The Gorge
Coalbrookdale Institute, built in 1859, is a significant, large brick building with a distinctive mansard roof and yellow brick detailing, noted for its historical architecture.
Former Girls' High School
Wellington
School, 1911-1912, by Shayler and Ridge. The later C20 buildings to the east are excluded from the listing.
Church of England School
The Gorge
The Church of England School in Ironbridge, dated 1859, features blue brick with stone dressings, mullioned windows, tall chimneys, and a prominent south elevation.
Church of St Peter
St. Georges and Priorslee
The Church of St Peter in Oakengates Snedshill is a red brick church in Perpendicular style, built in 1836, featuring a wide nave and a west tower.
Remains of Blists Hill Brickworks
Madeley
The Blists Hill Brickworks, established circa 1870, includes drying sheds, kilns, a canal wharf, and workshops, reflecting its industrial heritage.
Long Warehouse, Coalbrookdale Ironworks
The Gorge
The Long Warehouse at Coalbrookdale Ironworks is a red-brick building from 1862-1883, now used as offices, featuring a distinctive multi-windowed facade and historical industrial...
10, Severn Bank
The Gorge
10 Severn Bank is an early 19th-century building with earlier 18th-century origins, featuring brick construction, sash windows, and a distinctive doorcase with a bracketed cornice hood.
12 and 13 Tontine Hill
The Gorge
Constructed in the early 19th century, 12 and 13 Tontine Hill features a brick facade with a hipped tile roof and central archway, complemented by 19th-century shop fronts.
Church of St Matthew
Donnington and Muxton
The Church of St Matthew, designed by Sir G G Scott in 1843, features a plain Early English Gothic style with ashlar and fishscale tile roofs.
11, 11A and 15, Burton Street
Great Dawley
Early C19 brick range, No 15 painted. Plain tile roof with gabled ends. Threestoreys, 4 bays. Sash windows with glazing bars and rusticated lintels.
Anstice Memorial Institute
Madeley
The Anstice Memorial Institute, designed by John Johnson of London in 1868, is a red brick Italianate building known for its architectural features and historical significance.
10, Tontine Hill
The Gorge
10, Tontine Hill is a late 18th or early 19th-century building, notable for its group value, with features like a late 19th-century shop front and tile roof.
Woodland Grange
The Gorge
Woodland Grange is a 19th-century house with a gable roof, sash windows, and a moulded wood pilaster doorcase. It features buff brickwork and segmental cast-iron lintels.
Madeley War Memorial
Madeley
First World War memorial unveiled in September 1920 with later additions for the Second World War.
Ironbridge War Memorial
The Gorge
A town war memorial unveiled in March 1924, designed by Arthur G Walker RA and cast by AB Burton.
The Valley Hotel
The Gorge
The Valley Hotel, a charming 18th-century red brick house, features a unique interior with Coalport China tile moldings, warranting its Grade II* listing.
Gate Piers, Steps, Walls and War Memorial Lychgate
Wellington
Late-C18 or early-C19 gate piers and steps to the churchyard with walls and a War Memorial lychgate of 1922.
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Search for more listed places in TelfordTelford through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Telford changes over time. Skip this section and go to aerial photos
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
We don't have an image for any of these list entries yet
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
We don't have an image for any of these list entries yet
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Telford
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground. Skip this section and go to archive images
Ironbridge
Madeley Green and Brockholes, Ironbridge, 1930
Ironbridge
The River Severn in flood, Ironbridge, 1948
Ironbridge
The Iron Bridge and Hodgebower, Ironbridge, 1930
Ironbridge
The River Severn, Iron Bridge and environs, Ironbridge, 1949
Madeley
The Gas Works off Queen Street and environs, Madeley, 1939
Madeley
The Gas Works off Queen Street, Madeley, 1939
Dawley
The town Gas Works, Dawley, 1939
Dawley
The town Gas Works, Dawley, 1939
Oakengates
The John Maddock and Co Works, Oakengates, 1948
Oakengates
The John Maddock and Co Works, Oakengates, 1948
Telford in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Telford's past. Skip this section and go to stories about heritage
Eric de Mare
Blists Hill, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of Blists Hill iron works looking towards the chimney.
Eric de Mare
Ironbridge, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of the Bedlam furnace in Ironbridge.
Eric de Mare
Ironbridge, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of the Iron Bridge showing a detail of an arch. It was the world's first cast-iron bridge and was completed in 1779.
Eric de Mare
Ironbridge, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of the Ironbridge looking along the River Severn. It was the world's first cast-iron bridge and was finished in 1779.
Eric de Mare
Ironbridge, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of the Iron Bridge showing a detail of an arch. It was the world's first cast-iron bridge and was finished in 1779.
Eric de Mare
Ironbridge, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Detail view of the Iron Bridge showing a section of the arch structure. It was the world's first cast-iron bridge and was completed in 1779.
Eric de Mare
Ironbridge, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of the Severn Warehouse in The Wharfage from the road.
Eric de Mare
Blists Hill, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of the Toll House at Blists Hill.
Eric de Mare
Blists Hill, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of St Chad's Mission Church in Blists Hill showing the entrance.
Eric de Mare
Blists Hill, Telford And Wrekin
Date created: 1978 - 1980
Exterior view of St Chad's Mission Church in Madeley showing the entrance.
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Telford. Skip this section and go to education
5 Reasons to Love Historic Shropshire
Mentions The Iron Bridge
From the Iron Age to the Industrial revolution, Shropshire is rich with remnants from history.
7 Iconic Bridges of England
Mentions The Iron Bridge
Here we take a look at 7 listed bridges in England and what makes them so special.
The First 7 UK World Heritage Sites
Mentions Ironbridge Gorge
Discover the first UK sites to receive UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.
Mentions Telford
Capability Brown's influence on the culture of England has been as great as that of Turner, Telford and Wordsworth, and he is the iconic figure at the...
The Art of Capability Brown: 1716-1783
Capability Brown's influence on the culture of England has been as great as that of Turner, Telford and Wordsworth, and he is the iconic figure at the head of the English landscape style, which has dominated landscape design in the western world.
The Bridges of the Bishop Auckland & Weardale Railway
Mentions Telford
Exploring the engineering confidence and experimentation in form and style demonstrated by the Bishop Auckland & Weardale Railway's bridges
Historic England Reveals its Heritage at Risk Register 2021
Mentions Severn Wharf Building (Premises of Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust)
Historic England publishes its annual Heritage at Risk Register, the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places.
More Than 2,500 Poignant War Memorials Listed During Four Year Project to Commemorate First World War Centenary
Mentions Telford
Through the First World War Memorials programme, 2,645 First World War memorials have been listed, more than doubling the amount previously listed.
Telford's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area. Skip this section and go to grant-aided places
Wesleyan Infant School, Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This Wesleyan Infant School was built in 1851. It is in the Gothic Revival style of architecture.
Wesleyan Infant School, Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin
The Old Hall, Wellington, Telford and Wrekin
Period: Tudor (1485 - 1602)
Although much altered this building was built in the 16th century as timber-framed range with vertical close-set studding.
The Old Hall, Wellington, Telford and Wrekin
The Ironbridge, Shropshire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
Thomas Pritchard's famous 18th-century bridge has for years been considered one of the first examples of prefabricated production.
The Ironbridge, Shropshire
The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
This was the worlds first single span cast iron bridge.
The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin
The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge, Shropshire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
A detail of the Iron Bridge at Ironbridge showing the structure of an arch.
The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge, Shropshire
The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge, Shropshire
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
The Iron Bridge over the River Severn at Ironbridge was the world's first bridge made of iron and stands near the start of the Industrial Revolution.
The Iron Bridge, Ironbridge, Shropshire
The Bedlam Furnace, Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
The remains of a coke-fired blast furnace. It was among the first in the country to be built specifically for coke smelting.
The Bedlam Furnace, Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin
St Chad's Mission Church, Blists Hill, Madeley, Shropshire
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
St Chad's Mission Church, Blists Hill, is a prefabricated building made of corrugated iron sheeting.
St Chad's Mission Church, Blists Hill, Madeley, Shropshire
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary. Skip this section and go to related locations
Bedlam Furnace, Ironbridge, Shropshire
Constructed in 1756-1757 by Madeley Wood Co, this coke-blast furnace is among the earliest in the UK built specifically for coke smelting.
Discover more
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