Horsehay: Lakes, Railway History and Industrial Heritage

Horsehay combines nature and industrial history in an unusual way. Two lakes with distinct characteristics, historic railways and the traces of the Horsehay Ironworks create a destination where active days, technical discoveries and peaceful countryside experiences can be combined. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage, it is therefore worth deciding first what you want to focus on during your trip: nature, railway history, industrial heritage, golf or a mixture of these.

Lakes and nature around Horsehay

Horsehay and Simpsons Pools were designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2024. The area covers a total of 7 hectares. Horsehay Pool accounts for 3 hectares, and Simpsons Pool for 4 hectares. The two bodies of water differ in their origins and character.

Horsehay Pool consists of a large, mature lake together with the surrounding woodland and grassland. Simpsons Pool is a deep former quarry lake with adjacent deciduous woodland that provides a habitat for birds and small mammals. The origins of Horsehay Pool also tell the story of the area's industrial past: a dam on a nearby stream created the lake, whose water was used to power water wheels and steam engines. Circular walks of 2.3 and 3.75 miles lead from Horsehay.

Railway history as a defining experience

The Telford Steam Railway brings Horsehay's transport history to life. Its main attraction is the standard-gauge railway. The line passes through the listed Heath Hill Tunnel, which is Grade II listed. The site also features three model railway exhibitions. The steam railway in Horsehay opened to the public in 1984.

Another perspective is offered by the narrow-gauge steam tramway “Thomas Telford”. It takes visitors around Horsehay Pool to the Old Loco Shed. The Railwayana Museum is also located beside Horsehay Pool, with artefacts from the local railways. At Spring Village station, a 5-inch-gauge miniature railway is operated by the Phoenix Model Engineering Society; a mixture of steam and battery-electric diesel locomotives is used. Horsehay Pool lies next to the Telford Steam Railway at the former Horsehay station. This was part of the Severn Junction Branch of the Great Western Railway.

Industrial history and other activities

Horsehay grew up around the Horsehay Ironworks, which Abraham Darby II had built between 1754 and 1757. Horsehay's first blast furnace was in operation by 1755 at the latest as part of the Coalbrookdale Company. The Old Row Cottages were built in the 1750s and served as accommodation for workers at the Horsehay Ironworks. Horsehay and Spring Village was also designated as a Conservation Area in 1999.

Those wishing to include a sporting activity alongside history and landscapes will find Horsehay Village Golf Club, with an 18-hole, par-70 course featuring a grassland and links-style character and measuring 5,974 yards from the white tees. The course was laid out in the mid-1990s on the site of a former opencast mine. The Lawley and Horsehay Village Golf and Fitness Centre also has an 18-hole golf course and follows a “Golf for all” policy. For longer walks, the fourth stage of the Telford T50 runs 9 miles from Wellington to Horsehay.

The right base for your trip

When choosing accommodation in Horsehay, your personal travel focus may be the deciding factor. Base your search on the experiences that are most important to your travel group, and choose a holiday apartment or holiday cottage according to your travel plans.

To compare other destinations, you can also include Coalport, Ironbridge, Wellington, Hadley, Wrockwardine, Telford, Coalbrookdale and Rodington in your planning.

For the overarching travel overview: Telford And Wrekin.