About

The Ironbridge Coracle Trail

The Ironbridge  Coracle Trail is a very pleasant 20 minute walk along the River Severn between the Old Shed, the Ironbridge Coracle Sculpture and the New Coracle Shed.  Starting at the Old Shed, next to the Iron Bridge, this walk takes you past the Iron Bridge, along the Wharfage and the Coracle Man sculpture. Turning onto Station Rd – shortly after the Ironbridge Co-op, Teddy bear factory and the Ironbridge Antiques Centre, you come to the Green Wood Centre and the Green Wood Café where you can get a meal and a great cup of coffee. 

The Trail passes the Old Coracle Shed by the Iron Bridge, it is the last Coracle Shed in England. Built 100 years ago it has survived many serious floods and was central to the lives of the old coracle men.

The Ironbridge Coracle man Sculpture celebrates the coracle men and women of Ironbridge who preserved this ancient form of boat in Ironbridge. Used for: fishing, getting across the river and poaching it was an essential method of transport. When it cost money to cross the Iron Bridge or to use a ferry a coracle was the cheapest way to get across the river. Most houses in Ironbridge would have had a coracle by the door.

At one end of the Trail is the Coracle Stories exhibition at the New Coracle Shed at the Green Wood Centre. This is a FREE community museum which has collected many stories, artifacts, films, artworks  and tools to tell the stories.

The Ironbridge Coracle Trust was set up to preserve the skills and social history of coracles in Ironbridge. It runs the New Shed, the Old Shed, and Sculpture with community volunteers. It also runs the annual Ironbridge Coracle Regatta.  Originally funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Arts Council the Trust now runs as a charity offering free access to all its sites. It is developing more ways of getting hands on with a coracle or even making your own.

Check the web site for opportunities.