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The Shropshire Sculpture Park is a must-visit attraction near Oswestry in Shropshire. It took us a while to get there, but we finally made it! And what a wonderful place it is. It’s so good! In fact, it’s so good it made its way to our list of the best things to do in Shropshire.
The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park is a totally unique destination that combines the history of metalwork and art, nestled in the beauty of the Shropshire countryside. This hidden gem is home to a diverse range of sculptures, exhibitions, and ironwork creations that showcase the talent and creativity of local and international artists. It’s a great place to enjoy something unusual because we bet there aren’t many other places you’ve been to quite like this sculpture park in Shropshire. Read on to discover why!
Shropshire Sculpture Park
The Shropshire Sculpture Park is part of a bigger attraction known as The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park, but you could easily get confused between the two. If you’re looking for information about the British Ironwork Centre or the sculpture park in Shropshire, you’re in the right place.
1 | Experience the Best of British Ironwork
The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates art or metalwork because this place combines the two magnificently. It’s the largest ironwork centre in the UK and showcases some of the best examples of British ironwork from the past and present. You will see all sorts of ironworks, from small pieces to gigantic pieces with intricate details.
And if you know anything about Shropshire, you might know it’s widely considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, so we think the British Iwonwork Centre is in keeping with the county’s association with the birthplace of the industrial revolution because the area was one of the key centres of the iron industry during the 18th and 19th centuries. Shropshire was known for its high-quality iron ore deposits and the location at the crossroads of several important transportation routes, making it a hub for producing and distributing iron goods.
2 | Admire the Sculpture Park
The Sculpture Park is an incredible collection of hundreds of unique and beautiful sculptures, each with its own story. You are free to explore the park and appreciate the beauty of nature as you wander through the gardens and take in the stunning sculptures. The park is home to various artworks, including modern and contemporary pieces and traditional and classical sculptures.
3 | The Extinction Trail
The Extinction Trail was our favourite part of the Sculpture Park. It’s outside, which is great, but it allows you to stretch your legs and appreciate even more impressive works of art; above all, it is an educational tool to inform you of the world’s most endangered species and what we can do to help.
Even though the animals aren’t real (because it’s not a zoo!), they are still impressive, and you’ll find loads of information on each stand, with QR codes for even more information. And did you know humans are responsible for causing approximately 99% of species to be endangered? Scary stuff!
4 | The Forge Cafe
A decent attraction wouldn’t be complete without a cafe, and the British Ironwork Centre is no exception. There’s a great little cafe with a range of food and drinks. You can even book yourself an afternoon tea, if you fancy!
The cafe was relatively expensive; however, the centre relies on the cafe to help keep it open, and it’s a bargain to enter, so you can’t sniff at paying a bit more in the cafe. And the food was good, so there are no complaints. And if you become a member, you can reduce your cafe bill a bit, so consider becoming a member to help support this wonderful attraction.
5 | The Little Village
Another great part of the British Ironwork Centre is Little Village. The centre celebrates and preserves Shropshire’s industrial heritage and the county’s long history of ironworking in the Little Village. It highlights the skills and traditions that have made the area an important centre of the iron industry for centuries through rare skills you won’t find around much these days, such as blacksmith, wood craftsman and candle maker. Wander in and chat with the makers to see what they do!
6 | The Showroom
If you want to take some fancy ironwork home, you can! There’s a showroom full of weird and wonderful things, from ironware to homeware and all sorts in between. It’s an Alladins Cave of stuff! There’s so much going on and so much to look at; your eyes will go crazy! There’s also a clearance section in the Little Village if you don’t mind something with a defect.
Planning Your Visit
You’ll find everything you need to know about the British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park in Shropshire, from opening hours to prices and directions.
Opening Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am til 4 pm
Monday & Sunday: closed
Entrance Prices
Children are free!
Day Visitor: £5.00 (March to September, High Season) Note: No membership benefits included.
Winter Day Visitor: Free (October to February, excluding weekends, half-term dates, and Saturdays). Note: No membership benefits included.
Membership: £7.50 per annum Benefits: Valid for 12 months, unlimited visits, member discounts, priority booking for events, fast track entry, and free car parking window sticker.
Concessions Membership: £5.00 per annum Eligibility: Senior citizens, blue badge holders, NHS, and armed forces. Proof of eligibility is required when collecting membership cards. Carers accompanying a visitor with a disability are eligible for free entry with proof of carer status.
Renewing Member: £5.00 per annum Benefits: Valid for 12 months, unlimited visits, member discounts, priority booking for events, fast track entry, and free car parking window sticker.
Become a Member
You can join the Shropshire Sculpture Park membership club for £7.50 per year. The membership provides unlimited visits for 12 months, access to additional sculptures and exhibitions, like the Extinction Trail, discounts in the café and showroom, free parking, exclusive events and offers, and more. And children can join for free! Find out more about becoming a member here.
Directions
The postcode for the British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park is SY11 4JH. It’s located off the A5, and you can’t miss it because there is an epic gate guardian there that looks like a Transformer! Below is a map from Google Maps to help navigate you there.
Contact Information
Website: britishironworkcentre.co.uk
Tel: 01691 610952
Email: [email protected]
Address: Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 4JH
FAQs
What is The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park?
The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park is a unique destination that combines the history of metalwork and art. It is the largest ironwork centre in the UK and showcases some of the best examples of British ironwork and a breathtaking collection of over 200 sculptures.
What can you expect to see at The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park?
You can expect many ironwork creations, from intricate sculptures and historic gates to beautiful ironwork furniture. You can also admire the beauty of the Shropshire Sculpture Park, home to hundreds of unique and beautiful sculptures.
Is The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park suitable for families?
The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park is suitable for families and everyone of any age. There is something for everyone, especially if you’re interested in learning about the history of ironwork, admiring the beauty of art and nature, and experiencing a range of exhibitions and events.
Is the British Ironworks dog friendly?
The British Ironworks certainly is dog friendly! You can bring your pooch along to enjoy a stroll around the grounds with you.
What is the postcode for the Shropshire Sculpture Park?
SY11 4JH is the postcode for the sculpture park in Shropshire.
Is the British Ironworks Centre free?
Some parts of the centre are free, but you can pay £5 to see more. But to get the full benefit, you can become a member for £7.50. Being a member will give you access to everything on offer in the centre.,
How much does it cost to enter the British Ironworks?
According to the centre, it is Shropshire’s best value attraction. It’s £5 for adults, free for children under 18 and there are no car parking fees. You can choose to become a member for £7.50.
The British Ironwork Centre & Sculpture Park
- Experience the Best of British Ironwork
- Admire the Sculpture Park
- The Extinction Trail
- The Forge Cafe
- The Little Village
- The Showroom
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