A Coracle at Bridgnorth

Coracles have been in use in the British Isles from pre-Roman times.The coracle was originally covered with animal skins and in some countries they are still made this way. Coracles were primarily used for the purposes of transport and fishing, although it has been recorded that they have been used by both military and by the security forces.

Coracles have been popular in Shropshire for many centuries, although today you will see them used for pleasure rather than as a means of transport. When the Iron Bridge first opened at the end of the 18th century many locals still preferred to use their coracles to cross the river rather than pay the toll and use the bridge. The Greenwood Trust of Coalbrookdale, Telford in Shropshire, a charity devoted to education and training in the old country arts run courses on coracle construction.