Broseley
 

Start at the Woodbridge at Coalport and continue uphill past the station following the country road into the small town of Broseley.

When you reach the junction with the main Ironbridge Road continue across into Church Street.

The area of Broseley is, as the origin of the name implies is an area “between”. It has the Ironbridge Gorge on one side, there is Lord and Lady Forester’s quite large estate and woodland on one side and on the Wenlock road there is what is left of Benthall Estate, church and woods, now owned by National Trust.

All Saints Church [30]

All Saints Church is the largest church in town. It is grand and ornate in style with lovely long distance views to the northeast from the churchyard. Just outside the front door are some more of the cast iron memorials and slabs so typical of the industrial period. There is one flat slab with anchors and ropes on the corners in memory to a “trowman”. Inside are high ceilings, lovely windows, a surprisingly modern altar, 3 wooden galleries and a stained glass window by the well known artist Kempe.

Instead of the typical brass eagle lectern seen in most churches this has a lovely carved wooden eagle. On the left wall is a plaque with three flags in memory to those who fell in the Great War.

You can walk into town from the church and see the interesting houses and buildings along the way.

To the left of the church is Broseley Hall built in the 1700's from a design of Thomas Pritchard who designed the Ironbridge and other adornments on buildings in town.

Opposite the church is The Lawns, once home to Jack Wilkinson, an an iron master who didn’t get as much recognition as some, but who did develop the first coal cutting machine, and the first iron ship to float on the River Severn. He died in 1808 and it was his wish to be buried in an iron coffin. Unfortunately this proved harder than expected because the first didn’t fit him, the second didn’t fit the hole that was dug in the ground, however, as they say third time lucky, he was eventually buried.

The town centre square is located just past the mini-roundabout. It has a war memorial to those of the parish who fell in The Great War: there were 52 men lost, all listed on the memorial as well as those from the Second World War. The square has benches and gardens so you can sit and watch the town’s activities or enjoy a snack on a nice day.

Victoria Hall, a bit further up on the left, is a large brick building which has some of the traditional Maw’s tiles on the outside. It was built in 1867and originally used by the Plymouth Brethren as a meeting place. It is now a community hall for the towns people.

At the top of the High Street walk along to Barratts Hill, turn right onto Cape Street / King Street and on the left look for no 21. You will see an unusual building with extensive tiling both inside and out. Known as "Powell’s Shop", it represents a fine example of conglomeration of Victorian tiles of the time.

Broseley Pipeworks [29]

A little further back on Duke street is the restored Broseley Pipeworks. The tobacco pipe factory at Broseley was abandoned in the 1950s and then left untouched until reopened as a museum by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in 1996. Visitors can now view the preserved factory almost as it was on the day the workers left.

Broseley was at one point considered the largest pipe-making area in the world, with 3 manufacturers. A pipe maker called Noah Roden (1770-1829) was considered a fine pipe maker and sent pipes to London and points further. The well known "church warden" pipe with the long stem was very popular. Today you can often finds bits of pipes when walking local footpaths.

Adjacent to the pipeworks is the Quaker Burial Ground, where Abraham Darby I is buried.

For more information visit Broseley History Society at www.broseley.org.uk/

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