Bedlam Furnaces – Iron Bridge War Memorial loop from Madeley

Hiking trails & Routes

Bedlam Furnaces – Iron Bridge War Memorial loop from Madeley

Easy

5.0

(6)

hikers

Bedlam Furnaces – Iron Bridge War Memorial loop from Madeley

01:21

5.14km

40m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 16, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Ironbridge Gorge WHS

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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1.85 km

Bedlam Furnaces

Highlight • Historical Site

These impressive remains are all that is left of a coke-fired blast furnace. Built in 1756-7 by the Madeley Wood Company, this is a spectacular relic from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Owing to their significance, the furnaces have been protected with a hood. It is now part of the Ironbridge Gorge open-air museum, which is free to enter and open 24 hours.

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2.32 km

Rotary Club of Ironbridge Golden Anniversary and Polio Awareness Garden

Highlight • Monument

Anniversary plaque to commemorate the rotary programme to eliminate polio from the world.

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2.42 km

Iron Bridge War Memorial

Highlight • Monument

As a memorial to the many dead, such memorials – usually called “war memorials” in English – are still very important today. “Now, Lord, you let your servant depart in peace, as you have said...” says the so-called “Hymn of Simeon” (Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 2, Verse 29). However, the people commemorated here did not depart in peace, but became victims of war and tyranny. This is why the term “dead soldiers’ memorial” is now sometimes used in German instead of the previously most common “war memorial”.

However, such a war memorial, which one encounters so often on the road, regardless of nationality, language and name, is always a testimony to the horror of war and tyranny – still significant and current today. They all have two essential functions, and this is renewed for each generation:

-1- Commemorate and remember the victims

-2- Remind people to keep the peace

Translated by Google •

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2.50 km

The Iron Bridge (Ironbridge Gorge)

Highlight • Monument

The Iron Bridge, crossing the River Severn in the village of the same name, represents so much more than just a bridge. When it opened in 1781, it was the first bridge to be made of iron in the world and has since become a symbol of the Industrial Revolution. The bridge is now a scheduled monument and makes up part of the UNESCO Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site.

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2.54 km

Museum of the Iron Bridge Tollhouse

Highlight • Historical Site

Marvellous little free museum at the end of the famed Iron Bridge. Used to be the Toll House for the bridge and it has an interesting history. I liked the highlighted fact that ferry operators who had been put out of business by the bridge were exempt from the Tolls.
Anyway being a Toll House it is very small but it is full of interesting information boards about the bridge and surrounding area. It has a two floors and is well kept and immaculate. Lovely friendly helpful staff too, namely Laura and Mell (see I did remember). It has a small shop as well.
Well worth a visit!

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