Coracle Trail to mark 40 years of UNESCO World Heritage Site status in the Ironbridge Gorge

A council is gearing up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ironbridge Gorge’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Telford & Wrekin Council is drawing up plans to launch a Coracle Trail next year which will see 11 semi-permanent coracle sculptures installed in key locations in the gorge.

It is hoped the social media-friendly sculptures will encourage residents and visitors to explore the wider area and stay for longer.

Councillors recalled the 2018 flotilla of giant ducks which were placed across locations in the Ironbridge Gorge.

It was hailed a success in encouraging the huge number of visitors to the Iron Bridge to discover other delights in the wider Ironbridge area.

Ironbridge Gorge councillor Carolyn Healy (Labour) said: "I am very much looking forward to the Coracle Trail."

The Let's Go Quackers duck trail was a "great idea", she said and was the first event organised under the borough council's programme of supporting landmark events.

Councillor Healy said events help to support high street businesses by encouraging people to visit for experiences.

"We value our high streets just as much as our residents do," she added.

A paper presented to last Thursday's (June 11) meeting of the council cabinet said the Coracle Trail will be a flagship “place-making initiative”.

Officials added that it is "designed to transform the Ironbridge Gorge into a vibrant, interactive cultural destination”.

"The project will deliver a series of 11 semi-permanent, high-quality coracle sculptures positioned across key locations, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the wider area, increase dwell time, and support local retail and hospitality businesses.

"Rooted in the area’s rich heritage, the trail will celebrate Ironbridge’s identity while using public art and storytelling to animate the high street and surrounding communities," the background paper read.

The report added that the trail will launch in spring 2027 as part of the 40th anniversary of Ironbridge Gorge’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It will form a "key element of the borough’s wider programme of cultural and visitor economy activity”.

"It also supports the anticipated increase in visitor numbers as a result of the National Trust assuming control of the Ironbridge Museum sites providing an opportunity to improve walking opportunities across the wider gorge area."

The trail will be a partnership between local artists, schools, and organisations including the Ironbridge Coracle Trust, councillors were told.

"The project will adopt a strong community-led approach, with schools contributing design concepts that are brought to life through professionally commissioned artworks, ensuring local ownership and pride in the installations."

The Let's Go Quackers event was the idea of resident Julie Ward who was inspired by a Norwich gorilla trail she heard about in 2013. People went wild for the life-sized gorillas, which raised footfall in the city centre and became a social media sensation.

Julie had joined forces with her friend Anne Marie and put in a bid for an £18,000 grant from Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride in Your High Street Fund, which was successful.

She bought some ducks that were for sale in a charity auction after being part of an art trail in Liverpool. The giant ducks went on display in 2018, the year Telford turned 50.