The area along the Severn, including the two valleys of tributaries, Coalbrookdale and Hay Brook, is a site of early industrialisation and contains several features of historical interest. These include old furnaces, the blast furnace of Coalbrookdale of 1708, smelters, market squares, cottages and pathways that were once primitive railways. Many 18th century writers and artists visited the area to marvel at the iron and steel works. In particular, they celebrated the activity and the old iron bridge which is one of the earliest bridges made from iron and has been fully restored.
The Ironbridge Gorge is one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. It was here that iron was first smelted with coke. It is a symbol of the Industrial Revolution and exhibits the elements of progress developed in an 18th century industrial region from the mines to the railway lines. In the late 18th century it was the most important industrial centre in the world and exported iron goods throughout Britain's world trading partners.