Coleford

Coleford sits right in the middle of the Forest of Dean, the wedge of ancient woodland squeezed between the Wye Valley and the River Severn in western Gloucestershire, close to the Welsh border. It grew up as a market and mining town, its wealth built on the iron ore and coal that riddle the ground beneath the forest, and that industrial past is still visible in the old Freeminers' workings, spoil tips gone to woodland, and the clock tower that stands over the market square today.

What makes Coleford such a good base is what surrounds it rather than the town itself. Within a few miles you can be deep in Puzzlewood's mossy gullies, underground at Clearwell Caves, cycling forest trails, or standing on the limestone cliffs above the River Wye. It is a working town rather than a chocolate-box one, with independent shops, cafes and pubs around the square, a Thursday market, and a cinema, all set inside one of England's largest and oldest broadleaf forests.

Top things to do in Coleford

The Forest of Dean is the main draw, and Coleford is arguably the best-placed town from which to explore it.

• Puzzlewood — an extraordinary ancient woodland of mossy rock formations, winding paths and deep gullies left behind by centuries of surface iron mining; said to have influenced Tolkien's Middle-earth and used as a filming location for Star Wars and Doctor Who.
• Clearwell Caves — a genuine working iron mine with passages first dug over 4,500 years ago; self-guided trails lead 100 feet underground through ten show caverns, with adventure caving trips available for those wanting to crawl and squeeze further in.
• Hopewell Colliery — a small, still-active coal mine near Coalway offering guided underground tours led by a Freeminer, giving a first-hand feel for the forest's deep-rooted mining tradition.
• Dean Forest Railway — a heritage steam and diesel line running from nearby Parkend and Norchard, with museum displays, seasonal events and afternoon tea trains.
• Cycling and walking the forest trails — waymarked routes such as the Family Cycle Trail and the more demanding Verderers' Trail loop through conifer and broadleaf woodland, with bike hire available at Pedalabikeaway near Cannop.
• Biblins Suspension Bridge — a rope and cable footbridge over the River Wye a short drive from Coleford, popular with walkers tackling the Wye Valley Walk and canoeists paddling below.
• Coleford market square and clock tower — the town's historic centre, lined with independent shops, cafes and an award-winning bookshop, and the site of a long-running Thursday market.

Getting to Coleford

Coleford lies just off the A4136 and A466, roughly 15 miles west of Gloucester and a similar distance from Monmouth. The nearest mainline railway stations are at Lydney and Gloucester, both around 20-30 minutes away by car, from where connections run to Bristol, Cardiff and beyond; Coleford itself has no station, having lost its own line decades ago, so a car is by far the easiest way to get around once you arrive, though local bus services link the town to Gloucester, Monmouth and Cinderford. The forest's network of quiet lanes and cycle trails also makes it a popular spot to arrive by bike.

Best time to visit Coleford

Late spring is a highlight, when the forest floor turns blue with bluebells, particularly around Puzzlewood and the woods near Cannop Ponds. Summer brings long days for cycling, caving and walking, plus the free Coleford Music Festival held in the town each July. Autumn transforms the forest into a blaze of colour and is a favourite season for photographers and walkers, while winter brings a quieter, atmospheric feel to the ancient woodland and the caves, with Clearwell Caves running a well-loved Christmas Fantasy event for families.

Where to stay in Coleford

Coleford makes a practical, well-placed base for exploring the Forest of Dean, with a mix of B&Bs, guesthouses and small hotels in and around the town, plus farmhouse and countryside accommodation in nearby villages such as Clearwell, Newland and Staunton. Its central position means everything from Symonds Yat and the Wye Valley to Lydney and the Severn shore is within a short drive, making it easier to explore widely without constantly moving accommodation.

Food and drink in Coleford

The Angel Hotel on Market Place is a long-standing coaching inn serving classic pub food in the centre of town, while The Miners Arms and other traditional pubs around the square offer solid, unfussy meals and local ales. For something more special, the Wyndham Arms in nearby Clearwell has built a reputation for its restaurant, and the Tudor Farmhouse Hotel at Clearwell is known for its restaurant using forest and Wye Valley produce. Clearwell Caves' own Lamproom Cafe is a good stop after a visit underground, and the town's independent cafes around the market square are well suited to a coffee or lunch between forest walks.