If you have seen Golden Gate Bridge (I haven’t), West Gate bridge (Melbourne, Aus), Incheon Bridge (South Korea, crossed it a number of times), Sydney Harbour Bridge (regretted didn’t climb it), Tower Bridge (I think it’s the towers that makes it impressive)…
then… when you see Iron Bridge, you will go… cheh….
THEREFORE!…. please put yourself in the shoes of the people of that time ok?
So, before we go and visit the bridge, let’s go and visit the cheapest museum of the area, The Museum of the Gorge.
TERRIBLE!!! Entrance ticket costs £4.50! And the exhibit is not even worth £4.50! Total rip off! And I think it was the worst museum I have ever visited. If it’s free, I will come out of the museum and say “no wonder it’s free”. It’s THAT bad. There’s nothing inside. Just a few pictures, a few tiles, and then sit down and watch a video. Grrrrrr….
Enough of my complaints.
Here is a picture of tracks that were used during the olden days to transport goods from the river to wherever it needs to go.
You are free to feed the ducks along the river. I see some people fishing too.
And as you walk along the cute little town… TADA!
The Iron Bridge.
Now now…. remember I told you to put yourself in the shoes of the people of that time when they built this bridge. Then you’ll go, that’s impressive.
Now why is this bridge so famous you ask? This is the world’s FIRST Iron Bridge.
Abraham Darby III (yeah, his father was II, and his grandfather was Abraham Darby, creative huh), constructed the first-ever iron bridge in 1779. When it was completed, like any other new roads completion, they collected tolls. Prices below.
They built a toll house to collect the tolls. When Prince Charles visited the Iron Bridge, he was made to pay a toll too. Don’t worry, it’s toll free now.
Cross the bridge, and take pictures from the other side too. Every angle, scenery, is a joy to snap. So picturesque.
Sky seems bluer too.
Even under the bridge looks great. Fortunately there are no trolls under the bridge.
Also take a little stroll along the shops. There are ice cream shops, cafes, snacks, pubs, and of course a few souvenir shops too.
There are other museums around this area, but not accessible by foot. We drove past a couple of them. Maybe next time. Ticket prices are not cheap either. Visit their website for more information.
Ha..ha..ha.. Your photos on the iron bridge is so impressive. You have a good camera.