Camping in Coleford

Camping in and around Coleford means camping in one of England's great forests, and the ground rules are the same as anywhere else in England: wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so pitching up in the Forest of Dean itself, on Forestry England land, or in any of the surrounding fields and woodland without express consent is not allowed, however tempting the scenery. What Coleford does offer instead is a good choice of proper campsites, certified sites and glamping options scattered through the villages around the town, many of them set among trees or with direct access to the forest's cycling and walking trails.

The terrain here is very different from the coast or the Cotswolds: expect wooded, undulating ground, old quarry workings, and a mix of broadleaf and conifer cover that keeps many sites shaded and sheltered even in high summer. That shelter is welcome, because the forest can be genuinely wet underfoot after rain, and paths through areas like Puzzlewood become muddy and slippery, so sturdy footwear and, ideally, a pitch with reasonable drainage are worth prioritising when booking. Late spring through early autumn is the most reliable camping season, taking in the bluebell displays of May, long light evenings for forest walks and cycling through summer, and the rich colour of the woodland in September and October, while winter camping here is a quieter, colder, more committed undertaking best suited to those with good kit.

For anyone who would rather skip the tent altogether, glamping has taken off around the forest in recent years, with shepherd's huts, safari tents and wooden pods available in the villages around Coleford, several with wood-fired hot tubs or stoves that make the most of the woodland setting without sacrificing comfort. Whichever way you camp, Coleford's position in the heart of the forest means caves, cycle trails and ancient woodland are never more than a short ride away.