Exploring Ironbridge Gorge Walking Weekend
Join us for a weekend of sociable guided walking through Ironbridge Gorge - a landscape as fascinating as it is spectacular.
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 60
Level: Leisurely and Active walks on offer.
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Gain confidence in your walking ability over two days of walking in the stunning, historical Ironbridge Gorge.
A great option for those new to group walking and/or Large Outdoors.
Switch off from daily life with a getaway to one of Shropshire’s most iconic locations.
Enjoy the banter and sociability that comes with walking with a group, and leave with a new group of friends.
How do we grade our walks?
A weekend of walking through stunning gorge scenery with a focus on smiles over miles…
If ever there was a perfect way to take that first leap into a group walking holiday and/or to experiences with Large Outdoors, this is it. We’ve lined up a weekend with an itinerary involving walks through spectacular countryside, sociable evening meals and plenty of banter, staying in a former manor house.
Don’t expect route marches and stern, demanding leaders: instead, look forward to friendly faces where the emphasis is on having a good, sociable time.
We’ll offer a couple of walk options each day depending on the distance and level of challenge you fancy – from shorter strolls including tearoom stops and plenty of downtime to explore the historical town of Ironbridge, to slightly longer walks where we’re out for a full day.
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to routes given we’re slap-bang in the middle of a World Heritage site. There’s everything from the languid River Severn to follow, through to walking up the steeper slopes of the gorge if you feel like testing yourself a bit more.
Each evening we’ll provide a home-cooked meal and there’s usually plenty of time to simply relax and take in the views, or head into one of the local pubs for a drink before dinner.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
It’s hard not to be impressed with the location of YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale, a mansion house that stands in grounds surrounded by giant redwood trees overlooking the gorge, and our accommodation for the weekend.
Feel free to arrive any time after 5pm. Your Large Outdoors host and guide will have flung open the doors and be hovering by the kettle to help you settle in when you arrive. Your task this evening is to meet your fellow walkers for the weekend and simply chill out.
Dinner is then served at 8pm and as the group tucks in your host/guides will outline the walking options for the next day.
Day 2
After breakfast, we put out the packed lunch options so you can choose and make up your own lunch, before heading out for our walks of the day.
There will be at least two walk options for the day ahead, depending on whether you want an easier or slightly more challenging day’s outing (subject to participant numbers).
When the individual groups have completed their walks, there will be plenty of time to venture into Ironbridge for a stroll around and to dive into one of the excellent hostelries for a pre-dinner drink if desired - you’ll have earned it! It’s then back to the accommodation for dinner and a chance to simply relax and carry on the banter that will no doubt be part and parcel of the group!
Walkers in our Newbies walk in Ironbridge exploring the River Seven.
Day 3
This morning we pack up our belongings, have breakfast and leave the accommodation.
Again there will be walk options, but we tend to keep to shorter distances on Sunday to allow those with further to travel home to enjoy the full walk. After another good amble, we’ll go our separate ways feeling refreshed, full of great memories, and (hopefully) raring to go for our next walking challenge!
Please note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: from 5pm
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.Meeting Location:
YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale
1 Paradise
Coalbrookdale
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7NRwhat3words///trinkets.dips.conquests
Parking: There is no parking available at this hostel. You can drop your bags, before using one of the pay and display car parks in the village. These are a 5 - 10 minute walk from the hostel.
Public Transport: YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale is located 6 miles from Telford Central Train Station, with services to/from Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth. Bus services are available to/from Shrewsbury and Telford (but Sunday services are limited).
Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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We’ll stay in YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale for this weekend getaway. A grade II listed building in the heart of the Ironbridge World Heritage Site, this accommodation is the a fantastic base for our walks. It boasts a cosy lounge and dining areas - perfect for group meals, a post-walk glass of wine, and lots of laughs!
Bedding is provided, but please make sure you bring a towel and your own toiletries.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale
1 Paradise
Coalbrookdale
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7NRRoom Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (bunks, en-suite)
Single Room (en-suite)There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).
Twin Rooms (en-suite bathrooms) sleep up to two participants booking together, with bunk beds.
Single Rooms (en-suite accessible bathroom) are for one participant and have a single bed.
Please Note: the rooms in this hostel have green emergency light indicators which glow in the dark - you may wish to bring an eye mask if you feel this could impact your sleep.
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Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at YHA Ironbridge Coalbrookdale.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3).
Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as both Leisurely and Active, as we will have a choice of walks on offer. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.What transport is provided during this experience? We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.