Bedlam Furnaces — Attraction in The Gorge

They were built between 1756 and 1757, utilizing the region's abundant iron ore and coal resources, and played a crucial role in the early iron industry. During the Industrial Revolution, the furnaces produced a variety of iron products, including rails, machinery, bridges, and building materials, with parts of the iconic Iron Bridge being manufactured here. The furnaces employed a blast furnace system to melt and refine iron, adopting a design that reflected the technological advancements of the time, maximizing production efficiency. Along with the blast furnace at Blists Hill, the site was operated by the Madeley Wood Company. In the late 19th century, the importance of the Bedlam Furnaces gradually declined due to the emergence of new iron-making technologies and larger ironworks. Eventually, the furnaces ceased operation and were left in a...

Just outside Ironbridge along the river I think that these old furnaces are interesting provided you do your homework first we only parked there so the visit was no more than 10 minutes. There is information on site but it is a quick read, the cover above the furnaces looks a little ugly and looks more like a service station but has been put up for a reason protection of the old furnace ruins from the elements. While there please visit the rest of Ironbridge it's museums, the Ironbridge itself, lovely walks, and last but not least the lovely shops and pubs of this very old...

It was a good place to stop off as we were passing, some interesting history. It's not the sort of place you would go to specially. I found it interesting, it was nice to read the information board and have a look at the furnace. There was a path around it but there wasn't much to see along the path. There is a car park right next to it too. All in all nice to see but I wouldn't travel to see it, it was just because we...