This Easter, Ironbridge Valley of Invention will host an array of eggstraordinary events for families. From Victorian egg dancing to protecting egghead eggstronauts from a messy end to creating Easter Bunny-inspired artwork, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
The Darby Houses, Broseley Pipeworks and the Tar Tunnel will also reopen for the first time in 2024 ahead of the summer season.
Fun family events across Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust museums
An Eggstraordinary Easter
Blists Hill Victorian Town
Saturday 23 March-Sunday 14 April
For four days from Good Friday to Easter Monday, the residents at Blists Hill Victorian Town will celebrate with an egg dancing competition! Visitors can take part for free and everyone who participates will get a prize.
Every day from 23 March until 14 April, there will be two different trails to entertain the kids. Younger visitors can hunt for Easter eggs around the site while older kids can follow a trail of chocolate-themed Victorian advertising. There will be a chocolatey prize for every child who successfully completes one of these free trails.
In the printer’s shop, visitors will be able to print a personalised bag that they can use on their own Easter egg hunts at home. £3 additional charge on top of Blists Hill Victorian Town ticket price or free for PASS PLUS holders.
Eggstronauts
Enginuity
Saturday 23 March-Sunday 7 April
In a special workshop in collaboration with Fizzpop Science, children will be challenged to design a special spacecraft to protect egghead crew Captain Eggbert and Lieutenant Scrambled Egg from a messy end. This fun activity brings science to life. Additional charge of £3 on top of Enginuity ticket price, free for PASS PLUS holders. One-hour workshop at fixed times. Pre-booking required.
Hopping Mad
Coalport China Museum
Saturday 23 March-Sunday 14 April
Visitors will be invited to create their own Easter Bunny-inspired artwork. They will be given air dry clay to make their own unique bunny that they can take home, ready to be painted a few days later. All equipment will be provided. Additional charge of £3 on top of Coalport China Museum ticket price, free for PASS PLUS holders. Suitable for all ages from 2+.
Tile Decorating Workshops
Jackfield Tile Museum
26, 27 & 28 March
Craven Dunnill Jackfield will host tile decorating workshops where families can create their own unique tiles using the traditional process of tube lining. Participants will use a clay slip to create their outline on a six inch square tile before infilling their pattern with beautiful coloured glazes that will then be fired and ready to collect seven days later. £12.25 per person (plus an Eventbrite booking fee of £1.44). Pre-booking required here.
Three museums reopen for the first time in 2024
The Darby Houses
29 March-1 April and 6 & 7 April
A visit to the Darby Houses — Rosehill House and Dale House — is the opportunity to see how a dynasty of ironfounders, the Darby family, lived. See family heirlooms in the rooms where they were originally used and get a glimpse of how industrialists in the 18th century lived. Free for PASS PLUS holders.
Broseley Pipeworks
28 & 30 March and 4 & 6 April
Visitors can step back to the 1950s when the Broseley Pipeworks, one of the last clay tobacco pipe factories, closed its doors. They will learn how the small village of Broseley became a centre for pipemaking, see how traditional pipes were made and see examples of unique old pipes.
Tours begin at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm. Free for PASS PLUS holders. Pre-booking advised. Self-guided visits also available from 10am to 3pm.
The Tar Tunnel
29 & 31 March and 5 & 7 April
This guided tour begins at Coalport China Museum with a walk along the canal. Visitors will then be able to see what lies beneath the Ironbridge Gorge as they step into the Tar Tunnel and look into the depths where local people discovered the bitumen that would make industrialists money.
Tours begin at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm. Free for PASS PLUS holders. Pre-booking advised.
Events are included in the ticket price unless otherwise stated. For full details of ticket and annual pass prices, activities and events at Ironbridge Valley of Invention visit www.ironbridge.org.uk/
