Telford, England

...as being officially renamed as Telford, after the engineer Thomas Telford. Further development of housing and commerical areas continued into the 70s, including a building of the main shopping centre, as well as the M54, which connected the town to the rest of the motorway system. And that's about it for the history of the town of Telford! Told you it wouldn't take long.

==So Where Is Telford? And How Do I Get There?==

Ah ...
...different ways to drive to Telford, though one of the most direct is via the M54, which heads away from Birmingham directly through Telford, and is connected to the large network of motorways throughout the country. Providing you know where Telford is, it should be easily accessible from any direction once you reach Shropshire due to the major nature of the town, though it is surrounded by countryside which means winding country lanes if you're not ... more

Ah, Telford. When trying to think about what wonderful review to write next I tried to think about what I know best, and what could I know better than my home town? And so I decided to write a review of Telford and all the exciting things in it, as well as some of the less exciting things. I once saw a duck in Telford. How's that for excitement? Okay, okay, I'll get onto serious buisness.

A Brief History

I may as well tell you a brief history of the town. It won't take long as the history is brief! Telford is a new town, officially designated in early 1963, then known as Dawley New Town, bringing together many smaller towns and villages in the area. Development continued as more houses and infrastructure were built to strengthen the town, and eventually in 1968, the town took in a greater area, as well as being officially renamed as Telford, after the engineer Thomas Telford. Further development of housing and commerical areas continued into the 70s, including a building of the main shopping centre, as well as the M54, which connected the town to the rest of the motorway system. And that's about it for the history of the town of Telford! Told you it wouldn't take long.

So Where Is Telford? And How Do I Get There?

Ah this is the one I'm asked a lot, and thanks to a lot of people's bad geography, including my own, I simply end up as describing it as 'kind of near Wales' which just ends up with people think it is actually in Wales... which it really isn't.

For those equally bad at geography I have included an image in this review of where Telford actually is. Telford is situated towards the east of the county of Shropshire, and is the most populated town in the county. The county of Shropshire is towards the west of the midlands, and is bordered by Wales as well as the counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Telford itself lies relatively close to the historic town of Shrewsbury, and is under an hour away from Birmingham by car.

There are obviously many different ways to drive to Telford, though one of the most direct is via the M54, which heads away from Birmingham directly through Telford, and is connected to the large network of motorways throughout the country. Providing you know where Telford is, it should be easily accessible from any direction once you reach Shropshire due to the major nature of the town, though it is surrounded by countryside which means winding country lanes if you're not using the motorway. A brilliant way to get to Telford is by train as it has direct routes to Birmingham, Wolverhampton and as of 2008 a direct route to London, thanks to the Wrexham and Shropshire train company. This means that you're less likely to end up with as many pesky changes as some routes, and also provides good access to major cities for those who live in Telford.

All About Telford

So, you're now in Telford, and I bet you want to know something about it, other than the fact it has a motorway and train lines, because otherwise it wouldn't be very exciting. Well, except maybe that duck. And so I'm going to tell you about a lot of different bits about Telford, depending on why possibly you could be there.

Tourism

Now, one of the most likely reasons to be in Telford is for some tourism. Just to have a poke around and have a jolly good time. If you think this means shopping, then it's the next section you want, as this is for all the tourist things to do in Telford.

The only thing that really springs to mind to do in Telford for tourists is to visit the gorgeous little place of Ironbridge. Ironbridge is a village set in a wonderful valley surrounding the River Severn, and is named for the iron bridge it contains. (Who'd have thought?) The bridge was the first arch bridge in the world to be made entirely of iron, previous thought unthinkable due to the cost, but local industry helped drive the cost down and so the bridge was made, and is often used as a symbol of the Industrial Revolution. The bridge was cast by Abraham Darby, a local ironmaster. The bridge has been closed to road traffic now for many years, but is still accessible for pedestrians. And it even appears briefly in the Shropshire Muller advert!

So, I bet you're thinking, 'A bridge? Is that it?'. Well no, of course not. While the bridge is a pretty cool sight, there are many other reasons to visit the village. The village itself is absolutely beautiful, especially in summer, and is one of the most pleasant places in Telford. Along side the river there are many cafes, shops and pubs that are perfect to sit outside in the summer weather and enjoy the wonderful scenery that surrounds. There is also a park, for perhaps a pic-nic or simply for a relaxing stroll, or maybe playtime with the kids.

On top of this there are a host of various museums in the area, all which provide something different. There is Blists Hill, a victorian town, including traditional shops, as well as costumed people. In the summer particularly there is more to see, as well as school holiday activities for the children. There is also the Gorge Museum itself which shows the history of the local area and is located close to the Iron Bridge. And one for the families out there is Enguinity. You may have seen this one advertised on television. Again there are many activites during the school holidays, but it's a great place to visit at any time, with fun activities to help everyone learn a little more about science and other things with lots of hands on activities. There are many other museums in the area including the Coalbrookdale Iron Works, the Coalport China Museum, the Jackfield Tile Museum, Brosley Pipe Works and even more. For information on all the museums in the Ironbridge area visit their website: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk

It is worth pointing out that at some parts of the year some areas of Ironbridge can be disrupted by flooding, so please take this into account!

Telford is also a great place to access other interesting places, not too far from the town. Just outside Telford there is also the town of Bridgenorth which is also on the River Severn, also providing a lovely little town to explore, filled with history. A bit further is also Shrewsbury, the historic market town, which hosts the Shrewsbury Flower Show every year, as well as the West Mid show on the outskirts of the town.

Shopping

Who doesn't love a bit of shopping? Well lots of people actually, but if you're one of those people who can't get enough shopping then good news, there's lots to do in Telford.

The main draw for shopping is the the Telford Shopping Centre, home to over 100 shops all under one, indoor roof. That's right you don't even need to get wet. Unlike most shopping centres I've seen of this size it is all on one level, giving a very expansive feel to the place, and it sometimes feels like it goes on forever. It plays host to many big name shops such as HMV, Marks and Spencers, Argos, Next, Debenhams, House of Fraser, as well as a large Asda. There's a host of useful and nice shops, both big names and shops that are slightly more unique, as well as many cafes and quick food outlets, as well as a Wetherspoons pub. There is plenty of parking, although it can still get packed on weekends and around holidays, so do be warned! The centre itself is easy to find, as it is right near the motorway, as well as the main train station. I've obviously used this centre many times. It's quite easy to get to from most parts of Telford, and has enough shops for whatever you may need, or enough shops just enough for a good old wander around. For more information go to the website: http://telfordshopping.co.uk/

If that isn't enough, near by there are two retail parks with another bunch of stores including a Sainsburys, a large Boots, PC World, a Tesco Homeplus store, another Argos (for some reason) and many more. This is a walkable distance, which is perhaps advised as the car parks on these retail parks can get pretty busy. There is also a small mall just outside the centre, which holds smaller, market like shops.

Aside from this, there are other shops around Telford. These mainly include smaller high streets, with typical simpler shops, although places such as Wellington have more of a choice, as well as a good sized market. There is another retail park near Wellington which again has more stores including a Tesco, a Homebase and a Netto. The town also plays host to another Asda, as well as a couple of Somerfields.

Other Things To Do In Telford

Not everyone wants to be a tourist, or even go shopping, so I bet you're wondering what else there is to do if you're one of those people. Even if you're not, there are some great facilities around for you to enjoy whether a tourist or shopper!

Near the main shopping centre itself there are a bunch of useful features. This includes a large multi-screen Odeon Cinema, near the two retail parks. I've been to this cinema many times, and it is of high quality, with all of the screens well fitted out. Closer to the town centre, there is both a bowling alley and an ice-skating rink. I haven't been to either for years, but they have remained for a long time, so they must be doing something right! They are both reasonabley sized, and are found out of the back exit of the main shopping centre.

If you keep going out of the back exit of the shopping centre you will find two things: the town park and the uh... town park. Although one in the same there are two different reasons to mention it. The first will please the littler people of your family in the form of a very big playground! I had many a childhood spent there, though they've revamped many parts since I was a child to make sure they're modern and safe. It includes slides, climbing frames, sand pits and more, including a large field. There is something suitable for all ages. All this is absolutely perfect for a summers day out with the children, and there are usually ice cream sellers near by! Just past the playground there are usually some fairground rides. There aren't many, but they have classics such as the waltzers and the bumper cars as well as a few more, which could entertain teenagers, or maybe just those childish adults amongst you! (I know you're out there!) Back to the younger children again, a small walk away is a mini attraction called Wonderland. The main part of it shows various fairytales reproduced in the forms of displays as well as things for children to read. I again, have not been for many years but I have since seen they have added a small dinosaur area for those who are that way inclined. And the last time I went there was also a large maze to get lost in! It's not the most spectacular place, but smaller children will love it. For more information go to their website: http://www.wonderlandtelford.com/

The second part of the park is the park bit. Nearer the play areas and shopping centre there are some beautiful gardens, which as far as I'm aware are free to enter. If you are interested in gardening, or perhaps just wish for a peaceful walk for a while I fully recommend them. There is also the 'wild' part of the park. It covers a vast space and is full of woodland, lakes and nature. It's amazingly tranquil and is great for a relaxing walk. There's plenty of paths to keep you wandering all day! For more about all of Telford Town Park visit: http://www.telfordtownpark.co.uk

Eating and Partying: The Nightlife

I will admit that this is not my strongest area of knowledge about Telford. I didn't really start going out until after I moved from the town, but I will try and give you as much information as I can, even if I have to ask my sisters!

But firstly, eating in Telford. You've been shopping all day, or perhaps you've spent the day in Ironbridge and are looking for something to eat. My main experience of eating in Telford is in pub restaurants. There are plenty of these in the town, and I myself love pub food. There is a Wetherspoons in the main town which I find very reasonable for the food you get, but there a lot of places throughout the town that are worth looking into, depending on what area you are in. There are definitely many in areas such as Ironbridge, or close to residential areas and it's worth keeping an eye out depending on the area you're in. Restaurant wise though, there seems to be a lack of obvious presence of them. There are of course fast food restaurnts, with at least three McDonalds, a KFC, a Burger King, a Pizza Hut and others dotted around the time if you're looking for a quick bite. For proper restaurants Ironbridge seems to have plenty if you are there, and I'm sure most hotels in the area will also provide their own restaurant if you are staying in one.

There is not much night-life wise in the centre of town. There is the Wetherspoons pub which usually proves a popular destination, as well as at least one other bar around the other side, but if you're not looking for just bars or pubs then your best bet is to head to either Wellington or Oakengates. One of the more popular ones is called Pussycats in Wellington, which is your usual affair for the younger generation, with drinks and music along the lines of chart, indie and R&B. There are other places, but this is the only one my sisters ever seem to go to. The impression I have of the nightlife in Telford generally isn't that good. There are a small amount of venues, and most of those are poor quality, as wells as inevitable dodgy clientel. Generally I would avoid clubs in the area unless you are used to similar venues elsewhere in the country.

However, there are plans to revitalise the current town centre by giving it more bars and nightlife as the area is essentially dead in the evening so my review could change on the area if this does happen.

Getting Around

I'm going to be honest. Driving in Telford can be a bit hellish at times. Whoever designed certain roads in Telford must have been on something. Be prepared for a lot of roundabouts, confusing traffic systems, and a hell of a lot of traffic lights. One saving factor is that mostly, the traffic isn't bad around Telford. This changes when it's rush hour though, where the best place to be if you're in a hurry is already there, especially if your route involves going anywhere near the centre of town.

Telford does however, have quite a good bus system. Mostly operated by Arriva (though there are other services) they run through most areas of town very regularly, with a central bus station at the town centre, where most buses end up, which is always useful if you're at the centre, or need a connecting bus. The prices are about average, though they always find time to increase them. The Arriva buses do give change as well, which is good, though don't have any notes too large!

As for walking, I find it quite easy to walk round most parts of Telford, with plenty of footpaths and routes. I often walk to the Town Centre through the town park, which is not only an easy route, but a beautiful one too. There are some parts which are probably just out of reach of a walk though so I'd advise to plan your journey carefully. Cycling however is more of an issue, as there are not a huge amount of cycle paths in the town, which could lead to cycling on main roads if you're not careful, but if you plan it, there is usually a safer route.

Community

Now you may be wondering how long this review can go on for before something can come up that actually sounds quite bad. Well, here it is. There is a problem with a good chunk of the Telford community. Every town inevitabley has it's down-scale, less desirable places and Telford is no exception. This in itself isn't the main problem, while these places could be a bit nicer, they are generally perfectly fine. But as with most type of these places they seem to contain a good amount of a certain type of people. Not everyone of course from these certain places are like this, but there is a good proportion of ill-mannered people from certain places in Telford, which inevitabley make some areas less than desirable. Luckily these are mainly residential areas, especially council estates, so you shouldn't come across these problems too much as a tourist, and even if you live in Telford it's unlikely to happen unless you cause trouble yourself.

Then there is the problem of youths. A combination of the above fact, and the current generation of children, main areas of the town can hold host to a lot of children. They're not always a problem, and I'm sure some of them are simply hanging out, but there are always those who wish to cause trouble. I've probably made this sound worse than it is, but it's worth pointing out that some Telford residents are less than perfect, and it's always worth keeping a safe mind, especially in more deserted places.

That being said, most people in Telford seem to be perfectly fine. There is quite a large quantity of old age pensioners, especially in some areas and these places tend to be a bit more relaxed. There are also, as I've mentioned, much nicer parts of Telford where it would be even rarer to find any sort of trouble.

Basically Telford is like most communities, on average it's perfectly fine, but it has it's problem areas, so just use common sense as always when navigating the town!

Living In Telford

If you're reading this and are thinking of living in Telford and are reading this, then I hope I haven't scared you off. There are some really nice areas of Telford to live in and it's a large enough town to provide you with most things you need, and large enough to be away from those areas! The 'worse' areas however, are of course much cheaper, so if you do your research you can still find an okay place to live. Places such as Woodside, Madeley, Brookside and Sutton Hill generally have the worst reputations where as areas such as Stircley, Ironbridge, The Rock and Horsehay have a slightly better image so it may be worth taking this into account.

As for useful things for those living in Telford, there is a hospital quite close by, near Wellington, The Princess Royal, which is quite useful, though there are of course many GPs and dentists throughout the town. There is of course the main shopping centre for shopping needs, and the town generally has good transport links to the rest of the country (see 'So Where Is Telford? And How Do I Get There?'). If you have children you may be interested to know about the schools in the area. Telford has one of the finest schools in the country, that is the Thomas Telford School, and often appears near the top of league tables. Other schools in the area recently have seeked to improve themselves with for example, Madeley Court building an entire new site. There are also sixth form colleges in the Wellington area especially, such as New College or TCAT, though there are higher achieving places too (though I'm obviously too common to know what these are!). Telford also has a campus of Wolverhampton University near the centre. There are also many libraries throughout the town too.

Summary

Like most towns Telford has it's good and bad points, but my general feeling towards the town is actually okay. I often joke that it's bad, but when I consider it I am pretty lucky to have grown up with so much on my doorstep, especially with the large shopping centre, which I've probably spent way too much money in over my time.

There are nice areas and bad areas, but every town has them so they shouldn't stop you from visiting the town, or even living there. There's plenty of reasons to at least look into visiting as I have listed so maybe next time you're thinking of somewhere to go, why not consider Telford for somewhere different? It may not be worth travelling a very long distance for, but if you're quite close I recommend you give it a try!

If you have any questions about Telford that I haven't covered, feel free to drop me a message in my guestbook and I'll get back to you! 

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