The two men were spotted by a tanker crew 214 miles off the coast of Delaware after drifting for a week and a half.
Petty Officer 3rd Class John Hightower/US Coast GuardJoe DiTomasso with his rescuers after his 10-day ordeal at sea.
When Joe DiTomasso, 76, and Kevin Hyde, 65, set out from New Jersey on a sailboat called Atrevida II with a dog named Minnie, they were looking forward to traveling south and enjoying the Florida sunshine. Instead, the two men and their dog found themselves fighting to survive after their ship lost power in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
For 10 days, DiTomasso, Hyde, and Minnie drifted without power or fuel as their supplies dwindled. Thankfully, they were spotted by a tanker called Silver Muna more than 200 miles off the coast of Delaware.
“It was just kind of a small miracle that we were found at all, to tell you the truth,” Hyde said at a news conference, as reported by The New York Times. “We were out of the shipping lane by that time, almost. So it was probably the last ship that would have been able to find us.”
Their rescue was the happy conclusion to a 10-day ordeal at sea. As USA Today reports, the two men set out from New Jersey on Nov. 27th en route to Florida. But on Dec. 3rd, they lost contact with their families.
DiTomasso and Hyde were experienced boaters, and DiTomasso had taken the same voyage before, but their silence deeply concerned their families.
“We were mentally preparing for the worst,” DiTomasso’s daughter, Nina, told USA Today.
US Coast GuardThe bright blue hull of the Atrevida II.
Indeed, DiTomasso and Hyde’s voyage south had taken a turn for the worse after they left Oregon Inlet in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Then, the two men and their dog encountered a storm so fierce that 40-foot waves battered their vessel and heavy winds snapped the sailboat’s mast.
“We were sailing along great for like three days,” DiTomasso told ABC 7. “We were moving. Then that first storm hit. When that hit, that’s when the problems start. The sail broke first, then the steering broke. Then after that, we just battled the sea.”
The monstrous waves, he told ABC 6, were like “mountains,” and the howling wind sounded like “the devil was out there.”
Drifting without power, fuel, radios, or navigation tools, DiTomasso, Hyde, and Minnie struggled to survive by eating honey and beans. After more than a week at sea they had little left to eat and no water.
“We were sucking water out of the water lines. Cutting them just to get water,” DiTomasso told ABC 6. “We didn’t have water for two days. And Minn, we had to stop her from drinking. She wanted to drink everything.”
But just when they’d lost hope, they spotted a tanker called the Silver Muna.
The New York Times reports that the two men desperately waved their arms at the ship to get the tanker’s attention. Fortunately, the crew on the Silver Muna spotted them.
USCG Atlantic Area/Twitter The crew of the Silver Muna spotted the two men and their dog and brought them onboard.
Despite their ordeal, the two men and Minnie seemed to be in fairly good health. They were brought to New York, to the delight of their respective families.
“We keep saying this is our Christmas miracle,” Nina DiTomasso, who is pregnant, told The New York Times. “I am just so thankful that my dad will get to meet his next grandchild in May.”
Though DiTomasso thinks that his ordeal might make for a good book or movie, he doesn’t plan on ever repeating the experience.
“I’m staying closer to shore,” he told ABC 6.
But Hyde suggested that it’s possible he’d embark on another sailing adventure in the future.
“Sure, why not,” Hyde said. “I’m not dead yet.”
After reading about the two men and their poodle who were rescued after 10 days adrift at sea, discover the story of José Alvarenga, who survived 438 days at sea. Or, look through the harrowing stories of nine people who disappeared from cruise ships.
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Have you ever wondered why champagne became associated with New Year’s Eve? Sure, popping the bubbly does seem festive, but one doesn’t suggest the other’s presence…or does it? Champagne is difficult to make, and real champagne only comes from one small region in France (called Champagne). Thanks to the association of champagne and NYE, the production of the beverage actually shot up between 1800 and 1850 from 300,000 to 20 million bottles a year!
Why are champagne and NYE associated?
Sixteenth-century European aristocrats loved to pop the champagne. It didn’t hurt that their king Louis XIV loved it as well. Champagne was once part of religious rituals (but more on that in the next fun fact). Obviously, it became a secular celebratory mechanism.
Dom Perignon may have been a monk, but as the creator of the elite new bubbly drink all those centuries ago, we might also say he’s the father of parties. He made the bottles safer and the drink easier to produce, which also made them cheaper to create and sell.
By the 1700s, champagne could be marketed to those in the relative middle class because the price of creating it went down. And as you can imagine, people being able to afford things made them more popular. And champagne because associated with joy for all.
It’s all about the bubbles
Whether you’re drinking real champagne or sparkling wine from elsewhere in the world, that festive feeling you get from hearing the cork pop (although it’s not supposed to make a noise if you open it properly) is one that goes back centuries. The bubbles as well (although sometimes indicative of a dusty glass) feel celebratory. And so does New Year’s Eve.
As champagne production rose, exports rose. Champagne was a smashing success – even for ship christenings. This is just another way it became associated with joyous celebrations.
And if you’ve ever tried to pour a glass, chances are you’d had to struggle with those bubbles overflowing. Your cup runneth over, as they say – which is a toast to good luck and fortune for a reason. Champagne and NYE are a marketing match made in heaven. — WTF fun facts
Even as farmers markets get sparse in the winter, root vegetables are still abundant. They’re the perfect food for cold weather—they’re hearty, nutritious, and best cooked in an oven that’s hot enough to heat your whole kitchen. If you’re not sure how to turn the root vegetables in your pantry into dinner, the recipe below is a great place to start.
This recipe from the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) is highly adaptable. It calls for carrots, shallots, parsnips, turnips, and celery root, but you’re free to omit certain veggies or add ones that aren’t listed in the ingredients. “I would actually throw in something like fennel, which is not a root vegetable, but it’s also delicious when it’s roasted,” Roger Sitrin, ICE’s lead recreational chef-instructor, tells Mental Floss.
Once you’ve peeled and cut your vegetables, putting the dish together is a breeze. Simply toss the pieces with olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast the pan in a 450º F oven for 45 minutes, tossing halfway through, for root vegetables that are perfectly tender and slightly charred.
If you grew up eating boiled, unsalted vegetables, this recipe will turn you on to the food group. Roasting them caramelizes their natural sugars and triggers the Maillard Reaction, which promotes browning. You can bolster this effect by pre-heating your pan in the oven. “I put my baking sheet in the oven while the oven is heating up, so that when the oven has reached its temperature, the pan is going to be the same temperature as the oven itself,” Sitrin says. “It starts the caramelization right away and doesn’t give [the vegetables] the chance to start steaming as the pan heats up.”
The recipe is easy enough to make on a weeknight, but it works as a rustic holiday side dish as well. If you’re cooking the vegetables together with a protein like a whole chicken, roast them according to instructions for the bird (usually for a longer time at a lower temperature). Alternately, you can prepare the veggies in advance and heat them up when guests arrive.
With campuses in New York and Los Angeles, the Institute of Culinary Education is one of the world’s largest culinary schools. Career training programs are available in subjects like culinary arts, pastry and baking arts, hospitality and hotel management, and more. Whether you’re new to the industry or you’re looking to further your education, you can apply to enroll today on ICE’s website.
Serves 4 to 6
6 shallots, peeled and halved 3 carrots, peeled and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces 1 medium celery root, peeled and cut into large chunks 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 medium turnip, peeled and cut into 8 wedges 5 tablespoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground pepper
Heat oven to 450º F.
Toss shallots, carrots, celery root, parsnips, and turnip with olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper.
Spread vegetables out in one layer, on a baking sheet.
Roast vegetables for about 45 minutes, or until tender and caramelized, turning once halfway through cooking time.
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In terms of surface area, Asia is bigger than the moon.
How on Earth is Asia bigger than the moon?
First, it’s useful to know that the moon is only 27% the size of the Earth. Since Asia is the biggest continent on Earth, it’s not a huge surprise that it might rival the size of the moon in terms of surface area.
The surface Asia’s surface area is 44.5 million square kilometers (4.6 million square miles) while the moon’s is 37.8 million square kilometers (17.2 million square miles).
Moon stats
While the moon is the brightest object in the night sky, it’s still only about a quarter of the size of our planet.
Here are some other interesting moon stats, according to Space.com (cited below):
The moon’s mean radius is 1,079.6 miles.
Its mean diameter is 2,159.2 miles.
The moon is less than a third the width of the Earth.
The moon’s equatorial circumference is 6,783.5 miles (10,917 km).
The Earth’s moon is the fifth largest moon in our solar system.
The moon appears so enormous because it is so close to the Earth. It’s our closest celestial body at around 238,855 miles away.
To put it in some very random perspective, “If Earth were the size of a nickel, the moon would be about as big as a coffee bean,” according to NASA.
It’s pretty wild to think about the size of objects in our solar system. Often, their measurements don’t mean much to us unless they’re compared to something we can more easily visualize. Still, the fact that Asia is bigger than the moon (in terms of surface area) is pretty mind-blowing. — WTF fun facts
In early December, Celine Dion announced that she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a progressive neurological disorder, and as a result would have to postpone her 2023 European tour dates to 2024. It’s a rare diagnosis—only about one or two out of every 1 million people have it.
For many individuals, this was the first time hearing that SPS even exists. Here’s what you need to know about the rare condition.
SPS is a neurological autoimmune disorder. People who have it get severe muscle spasms and stiff muscles in the torso, arms, and legs. For Dion, SPS is even affecting her vocal cords, which makes her unable to sing. The disorder can also lead to increased sensitivity to sound, stress, and physical contact. Sometimes, that increased sensitivity can trigger the spasms. It can get so bad that people with it can have trouble walking or become disabled.
Because SPS is such a rare disorder, doctors and scientists don’t know exactly what causes it. But according to Yale Medicine, researchers are getting close. One theory is that it’s an autoimmune reaction attacking the body’s glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) protein. GAD helps make gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which regulates motor neurons in the brain. If there’s less GABA, the neurons overreact, leading to the spasms.
SPS is twice as common in women than it is in men, and symptoms usually start to show between ages 30 and 60. It’s often diagnosed in conjunction with another autoimmune disorder, like type 1 diabetes, and is more common in patients with cancer.
Unfortunately, SPS does not have a cure. But it is treatable with medication, immunotherapies, and some types of physical therapy. The anti-anxiety drug diazepam, an anticonvulsant medication called gabapentin, and the muscle relaxer baclofen can be used to ease the spasms and stiffness that accompany SPS, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Intravenous medications can reduce sensitivity to noise and touch, and aqua therapy can help with muscle pain.
Tahmina Watson after speaking to the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Courtesy of Tahmina Watson Tahmina Watson is an immigration lawyer in Seattle who often works with tech employees on visas. She described recent rounds of layoffs and hiring freezes as some of the worst she's seen. She says…
If you subscribe to the belief that sitting in front of a computer all day is marginally more fun when there’s a Christmas tree in the corner (real or fake), we hope your office resembles the ones below. Set aside whatever email you’re writing and take a closer look—because the two images have 10 easily missable differences.
After you’ve done your darnedest to spot them all (along with one little elf lurking in both illustrations), scroll down to reveal the answers.
Find that elf. / Ciphr
Hopefully it’s not Christmas Eve in this image. / Ciphr
The images were created by Ciphr, a UK-based human resources software provider that tailors programs to fit each company’s needs. It won’t exactly send out a troop of holiday decorators to hang tinsel in your home office, but that might be for the best if you share the space with a mischievous cat.
According to Ciphr, the average time to locate all 10 differences is roughly 4 minutes—which is also about the length of Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The Queen of Christmas recorded the song in August, but that didn’t stop her from cranking the A/C and covering the studio in holiday decorations to simulate the proper seasonal vibe.
Feel free to press play on the song below if you want to soundtrack your search.
Thanks to its mishmash of roads—due in part to its location in the Appalachian mountains and at the confluence of three rivers—Pittsburgh can be a hard city to get around, and residents may seem like they speak a different language. And in a way, they do: Residents call their distinct dialect “Pittsburghese.” Here are some slang terms to know so you don’t look too much like a tourist—even if you still get lost.
When Pittsburgh residents talk about the Bathtub, they’re referring to a low-lying section of the Parkway East (see below) along the Monongahela River that’s prone to flooding during heavy rains.
Pittsburgh Steelers in their black and gold uniforms. / Todd Kirkland/GettyImages
This lunchtime staple is made from a compressed ham loaf known as chopped ham that many deli counters sell chipped rather than sliced. The dish was a specialty of Isaly’s, a chain of convenience stores found throughout Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. (Another one of their inventions? The Klondike Bar.) Many Pittsburghers haven’t fully gotten over the chain’s demise.
Cookie tables are a staple at Pittsburgh weddings. / Barbara Macdonald/EyeEm/Getty Images
A cookie table is a table at a wedding reception that contains dozens of different cookies (it can also be found just over the border, in Youngstown and some other parts of Eastern Ohio). The tradition harkens back to a time when families might not have been able to afford a cake, but relatives would bake cookies in celebration of a wedding.
These Christmas cookies—made with orange and cranberry flavoring, white chocolate chips, and a powdered sugar topping—have an unusual origin. It all started when a DJ at Pittsburgh radio station KDKA was doing a remote broadcast at a Children’s Hospital fundraiser in the late 1960s. “Start your heart,” he said. “Eat a farkleberry tart.” Soon, farkleberry tarts were being sold as fundraisers, and that morphed into the farkleberry cookie.
The street downtown with all the courthouses and government buildings. “I gotta go dahna Grant Street” could mean anything from getting a marriage license to making a court appearance.
An incline headed up Mt. Washington. / PhilAugustavo/E+/Getty Images
Decades ago, the Pittsburgh region had dozens of funiculars—counterbalanced trains that go up and down hills. Today, there are two left, The Duquesne and the Monongahela, both going up Mount Washington. Residents refer to them as inclines.
Before Pittsburgh was the Steel City, it was the Iron City, home to a bustling ironworking industry. In 1861, a brewery called Iron City opened. The beer—whose name is pronounced “arn” instead of “iron”—has been a favorite ever since, sometimes with a shot of Imperial whiskey (an Imp ‘n’ Arn, in the parlance of the area).
Jagoff is an insulting term for someone who’s a pain in the ass or inept at whatever the task at hand is. Chicagoans use the word, too, and there’s some debate about which city came up with it first.
Kennywood is a popular amusement park in West Mifflin. But the phrase Kennywood’s open isn’t a reference to the park—it’s a subtle way to inform you that your fly’s down. (Bathrooms at Eat ‘n’ Park, a popular restaurant chain in Western Pennsylvania, have signs asking, “Is Kennywood Open?”)
Pittsburghers call the tunnels that run from West Liberty Avenue through Mount Washington to the Liberty Bridge liberty tubes. When they opened in 1924, they were the longest tunnels for cars in the world.
The Mon is short for the Monongahela, one of the three rivers in Pittsburgh. The river, an important industrial waterway, was heavily polluted for many years, so much so that it led to the joke that people who fell in didn’t drown—they dissolved.
Literally, “and that”; more figuratively, et cetera, as in “Went to Primanti’s for some sammiches n’at.”
Nebby means “curious to the point of being overbearing.” A person who is particularly annoying in their nebbiness is called a nebshit.
On narrow streets in Pittsburgh and its surrounding suburbs, it’s not uncommon to see lawn chairs set out to hold parking spaces. While not technically legally binding, everyone in Pittsburgh respects the sanctity of the parking chairs. (Chicago has a slang term for the action of placing chairs in a parking spot, too: dibs.)
I-279 looking downtown. / Michael Lee/Moment/Getty Images
There are two main highways through Pittsburgh, which uses a wheel-and-spoke system, routing all traffic through downtown. The interstate designations are 279 or 376, but nobody uses those—they’re all the Parkway. Interstate 279 into the North Hills is the Parkway North; Interstate 376 between the Fort Pitt Tunnels and the airport is the Parkway West; and Interstate 376 from downtown to the turnpike in Monroeville is the Parkway East.
When a Pittsburger says they want to go to Primanti’s for a sammich, they’re referring to Primanti Bros., a regional chain of bar/restaurants famous for its overstuffed sandwiches. The story goes that Joe Primanti was frying some potatoes and threw them on the sandwich, which soon became popular with truck drivers because they could eat with one hand. Primanti’s made a sandwich that contained meat, cheese, French fries, and a vinegar-based cole slaw, and they’ve been an institution ever since.
Redd up means “to clean up or make the place presentable.” When PNC Park hosted the All-Star Game in 2006, for example, the city’s mayor announced a “Redd Up” campaign.
Slippery, as in, “It’s snowin’ n’at. Roads are starting to get slippy.”
The Rachel Carson bridge. / Yuanshuai Si/Moment/Getty Images
Due to its rivers, the city of Pittsburgh has an almost comical number of bridges, and many are painted the same shade of yellow (Aztec gold is the precise hue). The Three Sisters bridges, which opened in the 1920s, span the Allegheny River at Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Street. They’ve since been renamed for Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson, but nobody really calls them that.
Yinzis second person singular, or possibly plural, depending on the context. “Are yinz going to the Penguins game?” Yinzer is a term for someone from the Pittsburgh area, variously wielded with pride or shame.
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Are you wondering about the best things to do in Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK? I have been to Ironbridge, Shropshire a few times now and every time it didn’t fail to amaze me with how wonderful this place is because of its history and great significance to the modern world we have now. This charming English town has been the centre of the Industrial revolution and has become one of the best places to visit in the UK.
Ironbridge was a memorable town for me because this was where my husband and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary. So, I would like to share with you some of the attractions and best things to do in Ironbridge.
Best Things to do in Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK
1. Iron bridge
The Iron Bridge is a historical landmark located in the county of Shropshire, England. It is a pioneering structure that was completed in 1781 and was the first bridge in the world to be made entirely of cast iron.
Best Things to do in Ironbridge: Visit the famous Iron Bridge
The Iron Bridge spans the River Severn and connects the town of Ironbridge with the village of Coalbrookdale. It was designed by the English engineer Thomas Pritchard and was built by the ironmaster Abraham Darby III. The bridge consists of a single arch that spans 100 feet (30 meters) and is supported by iron ribs and pillars. The roadway of the bridge is 20 feet (6 meters) wide and is supported by iron beams.
The Iron Bridge is an important symbol of the Industrial Revolution and has been designated as one of the UK UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a popular tourist attraction and is visited by thousands of people each year. The bridge and the surrounding area are also home to a number of museums and other cultural attractions that explore the history of the Industrial Revolution.
Best Things to Do in Ironbridge: Toll House in Iron Bridge
The Ironbridge Toll House is a historic building located in Ironbridge, Shropshire, England. It was built in 1779 as part of the Iron Bridge, which was the world’s first bridge made entirely of iron. The toll house was used to collect tolls from people crossing the bridge, and it continued to do so until the tolls were abolished in 1950.
Best Things to Do in Ironbridge: Toll House fee in Ironbridge UK
The Ironbridge Toll House is a Grade II listed building and is now open to the public as a museum. Visitors can explore the toll house and learn about its history, as well as the history of the Iron Bridge and the Industrial Revolution in the Ironbridge Gorge. The museum features exhibits on the history of the toll house and the Iron Bridge, as well as a range of artefacts from the period.
3. Blists Hill Victorian Town
A visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town will transport you back to Victorian times. It is an open-air live Victorian village that enables the visitors to experience first-hand what it was like to live in the Industrial village. A visit to the Blists Hill Victorian Town is one of the perfect things to do in Ironbridge for families with kids.
Best Things to do in Ironbridge: Visit the Blists Hill Victorian Town Blists Hill Victorian Village | GeorgeIronbridge, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Blists Hill Victorian Town was originally an iron-making, mining and brickmaking site. The site was turned into a museum to protect the history and heritage of the area for future generations. Inside the Blists Hill Victorian Town, you can find various Victorian trades like pharmacies, traditional pubs and mines. You even have to swap your modern Stirling Pounds for Shillings and Pence (the English old money!) Check out this map to see the attractions inside Blists Hill Victorian Town.
4. Enginuity
The Enginuity Museum is a hands-on science and engineering museum for kids. The museum aims to teach the kids the great works of engineering to inspire future young engineers. The Enginuity museum lets the kids explore and play around on their own accord to discover and learn new things within the museum.
The various interactive and engaging displays will surely keep the children busy. They can also learn about the very first electric car that was made at Coalbrookdale.
5. Coalport China Museum
The Coalport China Works was built and operational in 1796 next to the Shropshire canal for accessibility and transportation of goods. It became The factory was shut in 1926 and after 50 years it was turned into a museum.
You can find fantastic and skilful craftsmanship inside the ceramic creations by the resident artisans. There are various ceramic-making demonstrations and you can even try to paint your own china and other family fun creative activities.
Also displayed inside the Coalport China Museum are various china made for British Royalties like Queen Victoria and other European monarchs and Tsars. You can also find here the extraordinary collection of Northumberland Vase that was made in Coalport.
6. Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron
Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron is the heart of Iron making and the place where the industrial revolution all began. The long history of ironmaking began in Coalbrookdale way back in 1545, because the area was rich in various natural resources for ironmaking. In addition, Coalbrookdale is conveniently located and has easy access to the Severn river and canal system for ease in transporting goods in all parts of Great Britain and its major ports for export across the British empire.
Best Things to Do in Ironbridge: Visit the Coalbrookdale Museum GeorgeIronbridge, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In 1709, Coalbrookdale was the place where Abraham Darby I have famously known for pioneering the use of Coke (Roasted Coal) rather than charcoal in smelting iron revolutionised the ironmaking process and started the Industrial revolution. Then the Ironbridge came to fruition to mark this momentous era.
Inside the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, you can find the original furnace that Abraham Darby I used in 1709. You can also find various collections and artefacts that tell the story of how ironmaking in Coalbrookdale evolved over the years.
7. Museum of Gorge
The Museum of the Gorge was a warehouse of the Coalbrookdale Company’s Severn Warehouse. This converted Gothic-style building was used as a storage facility for all the metal goods made in the foundry. Due to its close proximity to the Severn River, the factory workers managed to load goods onto the barges for delivery to the different parts of Great Britain and abroad.
Displayed inside the Museum of Gorge are detailed accounts throughout its history and how it became the centre of the Industrial revolution. At the moment, the Museum of Gorge is currently undergoing a major renovation, hence it is closed for public visit.
8. Darby Houses
The Darby Houses were built in the 18th century by the Darby family, who were prominent industrialists and philanthropists in the region.
Best Things to do in Ironbridge: Visit the Darby Houses – The Dale House The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There are several Darby Houses in Ironbridge, including the original Dale House, which was built in 1717. Then the Rosehill house which has been restored to reflect the life during the 1840s features the Quaker lifestyle of the early Darby family.
Best Things to Do in Ironbridge: Visit the Darby Houses – The Rosehill The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Darby family played a significant role in the development of the Industrial Revolution, and their homes and businesses are an important part of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site. It was in Dale House when Abraham Darby III planned the construction of the world-famous Iron Bridge.
The Darby Houses are open to the public and are a popular tourist attraction in Ironbridge. They offer a glimpse into the lives of the Darby family, Quaker traditions and the history of the Industrial Revolution. Visitors can explore the historic buildings and learn about the contributions of the Darby family to the region.
9. Tar Tunnel
The Tar Tunnel is a historic underground passage located in Ironbridge, Shropshire, England. The tunnel was built in 1786 as part of the Iron Bridge Gorge Museum Trust. The Tar Tunnel was a mining site for Bitumen and was used to transport coal and iron ore to the furnace at Coalbrookdale. It is approximately 914 meters long and is located beneath the River Severn.
The Tar Tunnel is a popular tourist attraction in Ironbridge and is open to the public for guided tours. Visitors can explore the tunnel and learn about its history and the role it played in the Industrial Revolution.
10. River Severn rafting (Shropshire Raft Tours)
Shropshire Raft Tours is a company that offers rafting trips on the River Severn in Shropshire, England. The company provides guided tours for individuals and groups of all ages and experience levels.
During a rafting trip with Shropshire Raft Tours, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the beautiful landscape of the River Severn while paddling downstream on a raft. The trips typically last for around 2-3 hours and include a briefing on rafting techniques and safety before you set off.
The company offers a range of rafting trips to suit different interests and abilities. There are more challenging trips for experienced rafters, as well as more leisurely options for those who are looking for a more relaxed experience.
If you’re interested in going rafting with Shropshire Raft Tours, it’s a good idea to check their website for more information and to book your trip in advance.
The Jackfield Tile Museum is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and is dedicated to the history of ceramic tile production in the area.
11. Jackfield Tile Museum
The museum is housed in the former Jackfield Tile Works, which was once one of the largest tile factories in the world. The factory produced tiles for use in a variety of settings, including churches, public buildings, and private homes.
At the Jackfield Tile Museum, visitors can learn about the history of tile making in the Ironbridge Gorge and see a range of tiles from different periods. The museum also features a working kiln, where visitors can watch demonstrations of tile production and see tiles being made.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum also offers a range of activities and events, including workshops and talks.
12. Broseley Pipeworks
Broseley Pipeworks is a historic site that was once a factory that produced clay pipes for the tobacco industry, and it is now a museum dedicated to the history of clay pipe making in the area.
The Broseley Pipeworks Museum is housed in the former factory buildings, which have been restored to their original appearance. Visitors can explore the museum and see a range of exhibits on the history of clay pipe making, including original equipment and tools used in the production process. The museum also features a working kiln, where visitors can watch demonstrations of clay pipe making and see the pipes being made.
In addition to the exhibits, the museum also offers a range of activities and events, including workshops and talks. If you’re interested in visiting the Broseley Pipeworks Museum, it’s a good idea to check the opening hours and book your tickets in advance. The museum is open to the public from July to September and tickets can be purchased on the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust website.
13. Bedlam Furnace
Bedlam Furnace is a historic blast furnace located in Ironbridge, Shropshire, England. It is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and is open to the public as a museum.
The Bedlam Furnace was built around 1756 and was used to produce iron for over 300 years. It is a rare surviving example of a coke-fired blast furnace, and it is one of the oldest surviving blast furnaces in Europe. At the Bedlam Furnace, visitors can learn about the history of iron production in the Ironbridge Gorge and see the furnace up close.
14. Benthall Hall
About 10 minutes drive from the famous Ironbridge, You can find the historical manor of Benthall Hall. Benthall Hall is a Grade I listed building located in the village of Benthall, near Broseley in Shropshire, England. The Benthall Hall was recorded in the Doomsday book as part of Wenlock and belonged to the Wenlock Priory.
It is a historic country house that has been the home of several generations of the Benthall family since the 11th century. It is constructed of sandstone exterior and the interior of the house contains a number of historical features, including a fine collection of oak panelling, a well-ornate staircase and a Jacobean fireplace.
The gardens at Benthall Hall are renowned for their beauty and are open to the public. Benthall Hall is owned and managed by the National Trust, you can visit their opening hours and buy a season pass National Trust ticket here.
15. Visit Local and charity shops
Best Things to Do in Ironbridge: Go shop and roam around the Ironbridge High Street in Shropshire, UK
A visit to the Ironbridge won’t be complete without going around the local shops that offer different gift items, memorabilia and beautiful crafts from the local artisan of Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge.
There are also a few charity shops along the high street, you can find different vintage clothes and items that are considered treasure finds!
16. Try the fish and chips
Located along the high street near the Ironbridge, you can find a couple of local chippies that sell classic Fish and Chips! Every time my husband and I will visit the Ironbridge, we loved stopping by and eating the fish and chips at the seating area overlooking the gorgeous countryside scene of the Ironbridge.
Best Things to Do in Ironbridge: Try the Fish and Chips from the local chip shop or chippy
Just taking it all in while enjoying the delicious British food and the quintessentially British landscape.
17. Enjoy the English pub culture
After a busy day walking along the banks of River Severn and the Ironbridge, you can find charming English pubs and restaurants dotted along the main high street. Enjoy different pub classic drinks and delicious food while enjoying the charming countryside of Coalbrookdale and Ironbridge.
Maps of Things to Do in Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK
How to use this Google Map:
Click on the left SQUARE icon next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this itinerary. You can see more information about the different attractions when you click the icons, as well as show and hide each day of the itinerary and the driving routes. You can also import this itinerary map to your own Google Maps account by clicking the STAR icon next to the title. Then go to your own Google maps app, head over to the SAVED tab and scroll down and press the MAPS icon.
I hope these suggested things to do in Ironbridge, Shropshire can help you plan your trip to this beautiful English countryside that is brimming with history and its impact is still something we enjoy up to this modern times.
17 Best Things to Do in Ironbridge UK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & Photographer
Ryazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published on Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British – Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history and culture.
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