Tucked away on the edge of a wood against
the great buttresses of the old Railway Station, the Bottom End Cottage
affords wonderful views of the Bridge and Gorge. The interior is inspired
by the Arts & Crafts style and has quality fixtures and fittings to
match. Beautiful ornate tiling extends throughout the ground floor enhanced
in both rooms by large wool rugs.
It has a new fully fitted custom made Kitchen with a fridge, Rayburn gas fired range style cooker and a dual microwave/oven. Everything you should require is provided. Across the yard there is a Laundry Room with a high quality washing machine, tumble dryer and butlers sink. The Sitting Room has period Arts & Crafts antique oak furniture, original painted wood panelling on one wall and an open log fire (there is full central heating). A television with video and a radio/cd player are included. Upstairs you will find two Bedrooms and the Bathroom, again decorated sympathetically in Prussian blue and white with Maws of Jackfield tiles and a large enamel bath. Only hand towels are provided, for you to freshen up on your arrival, so dont forget to bring your own bath towels etc.
The upper floors are the original exposed boards, polished and painted inkwell blue, with hand-woven cotton rugs in each room. Original Coalbrookdale fireplaces remain in both Bedrooms each complemented by a period style bed, two chests of drawers and bed side tables in lime washed pine.
All bed linen is provided free of charge. Should your stay extend to more than a week our house keeper will change the beds and clean the cottage through for you. The accommodation is ample, sleeping four, in a Double Room and a Twin Room. A further double Sofa bed and Cot are available by prior arrangement.
The pretty cottage garden, with herbaceous
borders and large lawn, provides a quiet sanctuary should you choose to
have a lazy day at home. There is a variety of garden furniture and a barbecue
for your use. The owners also have fishing and mooring rights on the river
close by, which can be made available by prior arrangement. There
is on site parking for one car (two by arrangement).
A focal point for Artists over the
years, many famous views of the bridge have been painted from this river
bank. There is a small artists studio opposite the garden which can also
be made available for your sole use on request. In fact, one of the owners,
an Artist himself, runs introductory two day drawing/printmaking/sculpture
courses for beginners (individuals or small groups) from this studio so,
if you are interested in enrolling, contact the owners for further details
.
As a point of general interest, it
has been suggested that the smelting house, where the larger iron beams
in the bridge itself were cast, stood on this spot. This was converted
into two cottages in the 1850s. When these were demolished in the 1970s
the bricks were used in the construction of the studio and the garden walls.
The whole area is of great natural
and historical significance and has been a conservation area for many years.
The Gorge was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
The Ironbridge Gorge is known as
- The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution - because here, in 1709,
Abraham Darby pioneered the use of coke (from coal) rather than charcoal
(from wood) in smelting iron. The spectacular Iron Bridge was completed
using this process in 1779.
Bottom End Cottage is a Grade II listed
building dating a little later around 1850, built at the same time as the
railway station, which has now sadly gone. Prior to this, as the old local
name of Bower Yard suggests, the area, including much of the present Jackfield,
provided mooring stops and boat repair yards for the Trowmen and Bargees
(Boatmen of differing sorts). Here they could rest in one of the many Squatters
Cottages, Inns, Brewhouses or Brothels! Most of these buildings,
including the houses of ill repute!, have long since gone but the few that
remain are unique examples of Georgian rural architecture. In fact, several
of the families presently living in them have done so for generations.
Today, visitors to the Ironbridge Gorge
can re-live the areas pioneering past thanks to the imaginative Ironbridge
Gorge Museums. Many of the key historic sites have been preserved as part
of the award winning museum complex, which brings to life the industrial
and social history of the Ironbridge Gorge. All of these Museums are within
a two mile radius. If you choose to drive there is free parking at all
the sites. Also, a discounted park & ride bus sometimes runs during
the summer months and local taxis services are reasonably priced. Within
easy walking distance across the Ironbridge, you will find: the Post Office
(please note: there is no Bank/24 hr ATM in Ironbridge); the Chemist: a
Payphone; the Local Shops; the Bus Stop & the Tourist Information Centre.
Ironbridge manages to capture a unique
mix of relaxation & entertainment. As well as the magnificent scenery
and walks with breath-taking flora and fauna, the world famous Museums,
the unique architecture and the vast array of gift & craft shops, there
is plenty to do in the evening too. Within 15 minutes walk you will find
a: Wine Bar; Jazz Bar; Vegetarian Bistro; Italian Restaurant; Balti Restaurant;
French Restaurant; Thai Restaurant; Cafe; Six Tea Rooms and around 15 Public
Houses - that should cater for most tastes!
The village is also well situated as
a base for touring the many other attractions of the beautiful county of
Shropshire.
If you require any further information
please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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