The National Trust is set to receive a £9 million Government grant to take on the care of the Ironbridge Gorge museums in Shropshire, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed that the move will safeguard this “key heritage asset”, preserving an area where Abraham Darby’s pioneering work in iron production transformed engineering and laid the foundations for bridges, railways and machinery across the modern world.
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From spring 2026, around ten museums, 35 listed buildings, scheduled monuments and over 400,000 historical objects will transfer from the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) to the National Trust. The change follows economic challenges and the impact of the Covid pandemic, with hopes that the move will secure jobs, increase visitor numbers, and ensure the site’s long-term preservation. The world’s first iron bridge, however, will remain under the care of English Heritage and Telford and Wrekin Council. Attractions set to be managed by the National Trust include Blists Hill Victorian Town, the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and the Old Furnace, which National Trust members will be able to visit for free.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the transfer as vital for preserving “one of Britain’s greatest heritage treasures”. She highlighted the site’s importance to both national identity and the local economy, adding: “It is rich with the history of ingenious Britons who designed and constructed so many iconic feats of engineering – from steam engines to iron boats.” Nandy expressed confidence that the partnership would strengthen Ironbridge’s future, providing generations of visitors with opportunities to connect with their heritage and deepen understanding of Britain’s industrial past.
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The National Trust plans to increase visitor numbers from 330,000 to 600,000 annually in the long term, while also working to make the site more accessible and inclusive. The £9 million grant, alongside support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, will help establish a sustainable financial model. Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said Ironbridge is “an example of British ingenuity and a source of immense national pride”. Mark Pemberton, chairman of IGMT, added that the transfer “secures the museum’s long-term future” and recognises Ironbridge’s “global significance and vital role in the local economy”.
