Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge ranks at second place in the world

The results are based on more than 1.1 million traveller feedback forms, collected in partnership with UNESCO, making this the largest study of its kind ever conducted.

The Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa in China is recognised as the most highly recommended site in the world, according to TripAdvisor travellers.

Simon McCloy Chief Executive at Shropshire Tourism said: “We are really delighted with this news - we have long promoted Ironbridge as a brilliant place to visit in Shropshire, and it is really encouraging to hear that the TripAdvisor traveller community agrees. To be revealed as the most highly recommended UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK is a huge coup for Shropshire, but to be rated second in the World exceeds even our expectations. It is true testament to the hard work that everyone at The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust do to make Ironbridge such a first rate visitor experience.”

Councillor Clive Elliott, lead member for Tourism at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Here in Telford and Wrekin, we are incredibly proud that of the heritage represented by the Ironbridge Gorge which is both a world heritage site and the birthplace of the industrial revolution.

“We are delighted that it has been recognised by UNESCO in this way but it doesn’t really surprise us – the Ironbridge Gorge has a fantastic profile worldwide and attracts visitors from all over the globe.

“Telford & Wrekin Council has worked very hard to protect, support and promote the Gorge down the years and it is excellent that this hard work has been recognised on the international stage.”

World’s Most Recommended Sites:

1. Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa - China
2. Ironbridge Gorge - UK
3. Palace and Park of Fontainebleau - France
4. Historic Centre of Guimaraes - Portugal
5. Masada - Israel
6. Byblos - Lebanon
7. Persepolis - Iran
8. Hwaseong Fortress - Republic of Korea
9. Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula - Italy
10. Meidan Emam, Esfahan - Iran

These UK World Heritage sites are those most recommended, according to TripAdvisor travellers:

1. Ironbridge Gorge - Shropshire
2. Heart of Neolithic Orkney - Orkney Islands, Scotland
3. Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey - North Yorkshire
4. Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd - Gwynedd, Wales
5. City of Bath - Bath
6. Durham Castle and Cathedral - Durham
7. Old and New Towns of Edinburgh – Edinburgh, Scotland
8. Canterbury Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey, and St Martin’s Church - Canterbury
9. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal - North East Wales
10. Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St Martin’s Church - London

“Every one of the 962 designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites is of enormous cultural or natural significance,” commented Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson. “These lists identify the sites that are valued most highly by the millions of TripAdvisor travellers who visit them and therefore, Ironbridge Gorge should be incredibly proud of its position at second place in the world and number one in the UK.”

The partnership between TripAdvisor and UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre launched in October 2009 to raise awareness of and gain travellers’ support to preserve natural and cultural sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.