Join the residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town as they celebrate the 200th anniversary year of their great novelist, Charles Dickens, over the weekend of Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July. The fun literary event, which is being held at the open-air museum in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge, marks the bicentenary of his birth in 1812.

Watch costumed actors from the Prince Albert Players performing well known scenes from several of Dickens’ books including the Pickwick Papers; A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist. You can also listen to readings at appropriate places in Blists Hill, such as the scene with Thomas Gradgrind from Hard Times in the Victorian School House. Then follow a trail of clues to search for Dickens’ books which have been hidden around the Town and collect a small reward from the Post Office.

Open 10am to 5pm Blists Hill is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £23.25 per adult, £18.75 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £64 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.

For further information, contact the Ironbridge Visitor Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).

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