The Severn Valley: Industry, Heritage and Culture
The Severn Valley: Industry, Heritage and Culture
4 Days Starting and ending in Dudley, United Kingdom
Visiting: Dudley, Ironbridge, Shrewsbury, Wyre Forest
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
20 - 40
Age range:
18-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the Severn Valley with our "The Severn Valley: Industry, Heritage and Culture" tour. Stay at the four-star Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley, overlooking the canal’s marina, and enjoy a series of enlightening talks by Dr. Malcolm Dick, an expert in West Midlands history. Explore the Ironbridge Gorge Museum, often called the "Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution," and visit the historic town of Shrewsbury, including Charles Darwin’s birthplace. Discover the Wyre Forest area with guided tours of Bewdley, Kidderminster, and Stourport, and enjoy a scenic boat trip on the River Severn. This tour offers a perfect blend of industrial heritage, cultural insights, and picturesque landscapes.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Independently At The Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley, From 15.00
Location: Dudley
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley
Meals Included: Dinner
This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and a talk by Dr Malcolm Dick - ‘The Severn Valley and the Industrial Revolution'.
Day 2: The Ironbridge Gorge Museum
Location: Ironbridge
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is dedicated to the huge site at Ironbridge. Situated at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge on the River Severn, Ironbridge is often described as being the “Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution”. It takes its name from, the famous Iron Bridge, a 30-metre cast iron bridge that was built across the river in 1779. There are 35 historic sites within this World Heritage site of the Ironbridge Gorge including ten museums spread along the valley. Our day will include a photo opportunity at the famous bridge, the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, with the opportunity to visit the “Darby” houses that belonged to the Darby family of ironmasters. Time will be allowed for lunch and the afternoon will include Coalport China Museum and the Jackfield Tile Museum. We finish our visit with Blists Hills Open Air Museum. Return to the hotel at a second talk by Malcolm: ‘Shrewsbury in the long eighteenth century’.
Day 3: Shrewsbury
Location: Shrewsbury
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our first visit today is to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, with its Main Mill being the first iron-framed building in the world, and an important industrial heritage site. Known as the grandparent of skyscrapers, the Main Mill opened in 1797 as a purpose-built flax mill, and has since grown and been repurposed and adapted many times. After lunch (own expense) we visit Charles Darwin’s birthplace; a house positioned high above the River Severn in Shrewsbury, where he spent his formative years before boarding Shrewsbury School from 1818 to 1825. To finish the day, we take a boat trip on the River Severn, then return to hotel for a third talk by Malcolm: ‘Industry and Transport in the Wyre Forest’.
Day 4: Wyre Forest - Bewdley, Kidderminster And Stourport
Location: Wyre Forest
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend today in the historic Wyre Forest area, starting with a guided walk around Bewdley, including a short visit to Bewdley Museum to learn the history of this eighteenth-century riverside market town. Next, we visit the Carpet Museum at Kidderminster for a lecture at the UK’s only museum dedicated to celebrating the heritage, art and industry of carpet making. We have time to view the machinery and archives at this interesting museum. After lunch (own expense), we coach to Stourport, a new town in the eighteenth century, for a one hour guided tour of canal basin by expert Lizey Thomson, followed by light refreshments. Return to the hotel around 16.30.
What's Included
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Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
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Welcome reception
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First night private three-course dinner with wine at the hotel
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Second and third dinners at the hotel restaurant
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All visits and entrance fees as per the itinerary
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Coach touring as per the itinerary
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Dr Malcolm Dick throughout
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Tour manager throughout
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
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Double for sole use supplement - £180
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
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Holiday insurance
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Meals other than those stated
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
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Porterage and gratuities
Accommodation
Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley Four star hotel located overlooking the canal’s marina, set in the heart of the Black Country, offering a bar, restaurant, garden with terrace, fitness centre, and indoor swimming pool. The comfortable bedrooms offer modern facilities including TV, WIFI, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities.
MORE INFO
Your Tour LecturerDr Malcolm Dick is Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham after directing the University’s Centre for West Midlands History for many years. He has led tours for Travel Editions on James Watt and the industrial heritage of the Black Country and is President of the Kidderminster Historical Society and Chairman of the Black Country Society. Malcolm has written extensively on the history of the West Midlands region and in 2019 he was awarded an OBE for ‘outstanding services to History in the West Midlands’.Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Mode of Transport
Transport to the hotel is not included. Coach touring as per the itinerary is provided.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The accommodation is at the four-star Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley, which overlooks the canal’s marina. The hotel offers a bar, restaurant, garden with terrace, fitness centre, and indoor swimming pool. The comfortable bedrooms include modern facilities such as TV, WIFI, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities.
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Who will be the expert accompanying the tour?
Dr Malcolm Dick, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham, will be the expert accompanying the tour. He has extensive knowledge of the history of the West Midlands region and has led tours on James Watt and the industrial heritage of the Black Country. He is also President of the Kidderminster Historical Society and Chairman of the Black Country Society.
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What activities are included on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive independently at the Copthorne Merry Hill Dudley from 15.00. In the evening, there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine, and a talk by Dr Malcolm Dick on 'The Severn Valley and the Industrial Revolution'.
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What can I expect to see at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum?
At the Ironbridge Gorge Museum, you will visit the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, the Darby houses, the Coalport China Museum, and the Jackfield Tile Museum. The day will also include a photo opportunity at the famous Iron Bridge and a visit to Blists Hills Open Air Museum.
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What is the significance of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings?
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings is significant because its Main Mill is the first iron-framed building in the world, known as the grandparent of skyscrapers. It opened in 1797 as a purpose-built flax mill and has been repurposed and adapted many times since.
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What will we do in the Wyre Forest area?
In the Wyre Forest area, you will have a guided walk around Bewdley, visit the Bewdley Museum, and the Carpet Museum at Kidderminster. After lunch, you will have a guided tour of the canal basin in Stourport by expert Lizey Thomson, followed by light refreshments.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes three nights’ bed and breakfast, a welcome reception, a private three-course dinner with wine on the first night, and dinners at the hotel restaurant on the second and third nights.
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Is transportation to the hotel included in the tour package?
No, transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Book with Confidence
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