Christmas countdown under way with Ironbridge Gorge advent calendar

The trust has launched its first-ever online advent calendar as part of its celebrations for the festive season.

Behind every window on the special calendar there is a chance to win a prize, with gifts worth hundreds of pounds in total up for grabs.

Richard Aldred from the trust – a registered education and heritage conservation charity which cares for 35 listed buildings in the Gorge – said the calendar would help bring some

joy at the end of a challenging year.

“So many of us have been in lockdown at various times this year we wanted to treat our loyal supporters and social media followers to some seasonal cheer," he said.

“We have created a very special Ironbridge-themed advent calendar which everyone can access online, and instead of the usual chocolate or sweets behind the windows there are some lovely gifts.

“We hope everyone will use the calendar to count down to the big day on December 25 and cannot wait to start handing out some of the presents lined up behind the windows.”

Gifts and prizes include the chance to win an annual passport to the trust’s museums for two adults and up to four children, a meal for four at the stylish Furnace Kitchen in Coalbrookdale, gift vouchers for the emporium at Blists Hill Victorian Town, special wines, gin and much more.

To access the calendar and join in the fun visit www.facebook.com/theironbridgegorgemuseums or www.ironbridge.org.uk/misc/advent

There’s still time to book tickets for the feast of festive celebrations at Blists Hill Victorian Town, with tickets coming with a 100 per cent money back guarantee.

At Blists Hill Victorian Town you can enjoy a series of Victorian Christmas weekends, with old-fashioned entertainment and music, stunning grottos, a Christmas emporium, themed activities and an outdoor ice rink.

For full details of the Christmas celebrations and to book tickets visit www.ironbridge.org.uk/seasons/christmas-at-ironbridge