Exploring Ironbridge Gorge Walking Weekend
Explore Ironbridge Gorge on a guided walking weekend with Large Outdoors. Enjoy sociable walks, UNESCO heritage, and stunning scenery. Perfect for those seeking a friendly, relaxed walking holiday. Discover Ironbridge’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes.
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 60
Level: Leisurely and Active walks on offer.
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Why Join This Walking Weekend?
Sociable Atmosphere: Meet like-minded walkers, share stories, and enjoy the camaraderie of group walking.
Flexible Walk Options: Choose between shorter, leisurely walks with time to explore the historic town of Ironbridge or more challenging routes with rewarding views.
Stunning Location: The Ironbridge Gorge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and home to the world’s first iron bridge, built in 1779.
Comfortable Accommodation: Stay in a former manor house surrounded by giant redwoods, offering a relaxed setting for evenings filled with good food and great company.
Book today…
Guided Walking Weekend in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Discover the stunning scenery and rich history of the Ironbridge Gorge on a sociable guided walking weekend. Perfect for those looking to join a walking group or take their first steps into group walking holidays, this weekend promises a mix of leisurely walks, fascinating insights into the area, and plenty of opportunities to make new friends.
About Ironbridge Gorge
Ironbridge Gorge is a treasure trove of history and natural beauty. As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, it offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. Walk along the River Severn, explore historic sites like the iconic Iron Bridge, and marvel at the lush greenery of the gorge’s slopes. This area is ideal for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers, providing the perfect backdrop for a guided walking weekend.
Suggested Itinerary
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Arrive any time after 5pm at YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale, a mansion house overlooking the gorge. Your Large Outdoors host will be ready to greet you with a warm welcome and a hot drink. Settle in, meet your fellow walkers, and unwind before enjoying a delicious home-cooked dinner at 8pm. During dinner, your guides will outline the walking options for the weekend.
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After breakfast, prepare your packed lunch from our provided options and head out for the day’s walks. Choose from two options:
Leisurely Walks: Explore gentle routes along the River Severn, enjoy tearoom stops, and take time to soak in the historical charm of Ironbridge.
Active Walks: Venture up the steeper slopes of the gorge for panoramic views and a rewarding day outdoors.
In the evening, there’s time to visit one of the local pubs or simply relax back at the accommodation before another home-cooked dinner.
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After breakfast, pack up your belongings and set out for a shorter walk to round off the weekend. These routes are designed to be more relaxed, giving everyone time to enjoy the morning before heading home. We’ll wrap up with smiles, great memories, and a shared sense of accomplishment.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Meeting Location:
YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale
1 Paradise
Coalbrookdale
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7NRwhat3words///trinkets.dips.conquests
Parking: There is no parking available at this hostel. You can drop your bags, before using one of the pay and display car parks in the village. These are a 5 - 10 minute walk from the hostel.
Public Transport: YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale is located 6 miles from Telford Central Train Station, with services to/from Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth. Bus services are available to/from Shrewsbury and Telford (but Sunday services are limited).
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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We’ll stay in YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale for this weekend getaway. A grade II listed building in the heart of the Ironbridge World Heritage Site, this accommodation is the a fantastic base for our walks. It boasts a cosy lounge and dining areas - perfect for group meals, a post-walk glass of wine, and lots of laughs!
Bedding is provided, but please make sure you bring a towel and your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale
1 Paradise
Coalbrookdale
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7NRRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (bunks, en-suite)
Single Room (en-suite)There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).
Twin Rooms (en-suite bathrooms) sleep up to two participants booking together, with bunk beds.
Single Rooms (en-suite accessible bathroom) are for one participant and have a single bed.
Please Note: the rooms in this hostel have green emergency light indicators which glow in the dark - you may wish to bring an eye mask if you feel this could impact your sleep.
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Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3).
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as both Leisurely and Active, as we will have a choice of walks on offer. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.What transport is provided during this experience? We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.