The building that has now been turned into The Best Western Valley Hotel was built in 1757 as Severn House, the home of George Goodwin. Goodwin was a master collier and a partner in the company that owned the Bedlam furnaces just a short walk away – one of the furnaces that eventually formed part of the Coalbrookdale Iron Company, manufacturers of the famous bridge. By the 19th century the house was owned by the Maw family. Arthur Maw set up the tile works in Jackfield, again a short walk away. The hotel retains many examples of tiles produced by the company.
Ironbridge grew notably in this way during the earlier years of the Industrial Revolution, with masters and workers living nearby their businesses, and to each other, artisans more than labourers.
Thomas Parker, who worked at The Coalbrookdale Iron Company but is better remembered for his many scientific and engineering innovations bought Severn House from The Maw family in 1907. After Parker’s death the house was sold to a farmer in the area.
Severn House was converted to a hotel in 1939. It is now a modern, 3 star country house hotel with gardens that lead down to a park by the River Severn. One-time servant quarters and stables have been absorbed by the main hotel to provide ‘mews style’ accommodation, accessed by glass covered walkways.
Severn House pre-dates the famous bridge, a 10 minute walk downriver, by a quarter of a century. Between the two is the Merrythought Factory which has produced its iconic, handmade teddy bears on the premises for the past 95 years.
We stayed at the hotel for 3 nights in March on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis booked through Secret Escapes. Our accommodation was a standard double room that proved clean and spacious. Check-in was from 3pm and a dinner reservation in the busy restaurant had been made for us that evening as we had neglected to request a time. Service throughout our stay was efficient and friendly.
The main downside to the bedroom allocated was the 4’6 bed. The room could easily have accommodated a more comfortable 5′ model in which I would have slept better. We have had rooms with better views but this was not such an issue. On a more positive note the bath in the en suite was long enough to stretch out fully in – most welcome after a long walk through the woodlands that rise from the gorge in which the hotel is situated. The shower had good water pressure and a temperature control that was straightforward to use. The room was serviced daily, including replenishing the hospitality tray.
Having settled into our room and enjoyed a refreshing cup of tea we explored the grounds and walked down to the bridge. Ironbridge has a good number of independent shops alongside the hotels and eateries. We noted the opening times of the Merrythought Shop – located by the factory and offering a window through which one may watch the bears being made – and planned a visit on our final day.
We were now feeling well ready for dinner. Drinks may be ordered from the bar adjacent to the restaurant with seating available here, or at table. Like us each evening, many opted to eat early which allowed tables to be re-laid and more guests fed. It was busy but staff coped well. The menu changed only slightly over our three night stay but there was plenty of choice and we were well fed.
Starters were tasty although in admitting to my shellfish intolerance I was denied a couple of dishes that would otherwise have been chosen (staff were strictly cautious which is understandable). Husband has no such limitations and was happy with his selections.
Mains were generously portioned, a mix of traditional dishes and more experimentally flavoured. I would have liked more vegetables but, to be fair, these could be ordered as a side. Certain dishes required a small supplement but most were covered in full by our booking.
The pudding menu included a cheese board for a small supplement which I selected each evening. This was locally sourced and generous enough to share with husband.
On the first morning, a Saturday, we ran at the Telford parkrun so skipped breakfast. As this meal is served from fairly early we were able to grab some fruit and pastries to take with us. On the following two mornings we were able to avail ourselves of all that was on offer. This included: fruit juices, selections of fresh fruit and cereals, pastries, toast with preserves, cheese and sliced meat platters on request, a full fried breakfast, pots of tea or coffee.
Having eaten our fill we were well set up for each day’s activity. Other than the drive to Telford for our run we could walk directly from the hotel to enjoy the countryside location. Being in a gorge, walks required some steep climbs and I was glad to have brought my poles. For those who do not wish to venture too far there are also riverside paths and the remains of old railway lines nearby to walk along.
We very much enjoyed exploring Ironbridge and its surrounds. The Valley Hotel proved an ideal base for this. Although the only lounge type space we found was by reception, our room was comfortably enough furnished to offer a place to relax in when needed.
Good value, good food, interesting location, and friendly service.
