Green Museum

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum is committed to the promotion of Green Tourism.

One of the strategic aims of the Trust in conjunction with its partners is to make Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site the greenest inhabited World Heritage Site in the World.

Green Tourism Business Scheme

This internationally recognised scheme provides accreditation and encouragement to business to adopt sustainable practice to ensure the continued enjoyment of the environment around us.

Organisations are assessed on average every two years. In July 2013 the Museum was successful in achieving a Gold Award in the National Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) and in November 2016 the Museum retained its Gold Award, an excellent achievement for the organisation its visitors and staff.

The report praised the Trust’s work for the following initiatives:

  • A community recycling scheme based at Coalbrookdale
  • Award-winning environmental education work, especially at Enginuity, for example innovative recycling exhibits and extensive schools programme with a recycling and sustainability theme
  • Powerful examples of best practice at Blists Hill Victorian Town including the use of water butts, recycling of scrap iron and sustainability message in schools programme, for example making rag-rugs and using recycled materials for workshops
  • Being a committed member of the Telford & Wrekin Fairtrade Alliance and contributing to the borough gaining Fairtrade Borough Status in 2016.
  • Using environmentally-friendly cleaning materials and using low-energy lighting across most sites
  • Employing a Ranger to maintain, conserve and develop our natural resources

To learn more about the Green Tourism Business Scheme visit: www.green-tourism.com

Environmental policy

Our Environmental Policy highlights some of the main steps we have taken to reduce our impact on the environment and our Visitor Environmental Charter sets out steps to encourage visitors to support us to become a more sustainable destination.

Green Partners

The Museum works closely on a number of environmental programmes with local schools and community groups as well as charities and other businesses. Our partners in the Gorge who all hold the GTBS Gold Award are:

  • The Best Western Valley Hotel, a holder of the coveted Gold Award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme, to provide a sustainable destination to the leisure and group market.
  • The Severn Gorge Countryside Trust works to balance the conservation and enhancement of the landscape, wildlife and public access, and also to reinforce the cultural importance of the special areas under its management. All of the land holdings of the Severn Gorge Countryside Trust are open to the public to explore and enjoy. A network of waymarked paths and trails have been established through the woods and meadows of Ironbridge, Coalbrookdale, Jackfield, Coalport, Madeley, Barrow and Broseley and a programme of workshops and talks enhances the on-going environmental work.
  • Small Woods the Green Wood Centre promotes sustainable living through a wood based economy by running courses and events in sustainable woodland management, coppicing, crafts and related activities. Activities at the centre include woodland volunteering projects, fun family sessions and woody events for the whole community.
  • Telford BESST – Business Environmental Support Scheme for Telford (BESST). BESST is a partnership between local private and public sector businesses. IGMT meets regularly with other BESST members to share best practice and exchange ideas at workshops and participates in organised environmental projects. 
  • Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT). In conjunction with BESST and independently, IGMT works closely with SWT on environmental and educational projects. SWT is the county’s leading environmental charity, supported by 11,000 members. 

Cycle Hire

For bicycle hire go to the Telford Cycle Centre website.

Based in Telford Town Park in Telford Centre just 4 miles from Ironbridge. Cycle Experience offers bicycles for hire, sales and full technical support. All 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums and the World Heritage Site are within easy reach by using dedicated cycle routes, bridleways and/or minor roads.