Jackfield
Jackfield is a small village situated within the Ironbridge Gorge and Broseley part of Shropshire.
The village lies on the south bank of the River Severn, near to the town of Broseley and opposite the village of Coalport. The border between the Shropshire boroughs of Bridgnorth and Telford & Wrekin runs through the centre of the village.
The centre of the village is located in an unstable part of the Severn gorge and several landslips have been recorded. The landslip of 1952 devastated the core of Jackfield.
Less than a mile further upstream is the World famous Iron Bridge. In jackfield itself, there is the Jackfield Tile Museum which is located within the former Craven Dunhill factory. Tile manufacturing still takes place there today, by the same company, albeit on a smaller scale. Today the Craven Dunhill factory manufactures wall and floor tiles using true Victorian methods.
Half a mile downstream from the Iron Bridge is the Jackfield free bridge.The old Jackfield free bridge was built in 1909 by local subscription to avoid tolls on the Iron bridge and coalport bridge. It gave trouble in the 1930s and required repeated repairs until in 1993 beyond repair it was demolished and replaced with the present bridge. The new Jackfield free bridge is a striking feature. The tight road bends at each end discourage heavy traffic.
A little downstream are the Jackfield rapids - an area avoided by anyone trying to canoe their way up or downstream!
The rapids used to be grade 2, but following a period of stabilization work to the south bank of the river in 2001 has become more difficult. Now it is grade 3 o4 in some areas.
Jackfield contains a number of historical sites which comprise the way points on the South Telford Heritage Trail.
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