Things To Do in Coleford & Nearby Area
Coleford is a small market town in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. It is located two miles east of the Wales border and near to the Wye Valley. It is easy to get to by road. Alternatively, there is a reliable bus service to the town.
Coleford has a splendid choice of food shops. These are great for locals or for tourists to stock up when on a holiday. The area is a haven for walkers, and there are many routes to hike throughout the area, including walking to Redbrook on the River Wye.
Things To See or Do in Coleford
There are many things to see, places to visit and things to do in and near the market town.
See the Iconic Clock Tower
They base the town centre around the clock tower in Market Square. The clock tower used to be part of a church that they built in the 19th century. They demolished the church because of a growth in the congregation. This resulted in a new church that overlooks the town called St John the Evangelist’s being built. The clock tower has a nice open space surrounding it, ideal for sitting with refreshments. The square houses a stage at the annual music festival.
Men of Iron and Steel Mural
There is a very nice mural in the town centre called Men of Iron and Steel. They completed the mural in Mushet Walk in 2014. Artist Tom Cousins created it. Depicted in the artwork are David Mushet (1772-1847) and his son Robert Forester Mushet (1811-1891), who were pioneers in all things iron and steel. In 1856, Robert Mushet perfected the Bessemer process of steel manufacture, and later, in 1868, he discovered self-hardening steel.
Hiking in the Nearby Woodland
The area near to Coleford is fantastic for hiking, and there are many routes to follow. Some are long-distance hikes; others are circular, and even some are short but beautiful options. The walk from Coleford to Monmouth is nice; the route goes via some picturesque countryside and the River Wye.
Puzzlewood
Puzzlewood is an ancient woodland site near Coleford. The Puzzlewood site covers 14 acres in total. The site shows evidence of open cast iron ore mining dating from the Roman period, and possibly earlier
They created miles of pathways in the early 19th century to provide access to the woods and provide picturesque walks. The area contains strange rock formations, secret caves and ancient trees, with a confusing maze of paths. They say it was one of J. R. R. Tolkien’s inspirations for Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings. For Dr Who fans, Puzzlewood was a filming location twice back in 2010. The BBC has also filmed Merlin here too.
Dean Forest Railway
The Dean Forest Railway is a heritage railway line nearby with both steam and diesel engines to ride on. The attraction has museums and train rides, and you can even enjoy afternoon tea. It is in stunning surroundings, and the route goes from Lydney to Parkend.
Forest Hills Golf Course
Forest Hills is a par 72 parkland golf course in Coleford. It has a members’ bar and a specialist onsite shop. Forest Hills welcomes visitors and has an online availability and booking page on their website. This will prevent any disappointment. Some times of the day or week are cheap times, so you could grab a bargain round if lucky.
Shops
The town has many independent retailers of food selling great local produce to complement the event. It is a great day out for locals or for people visiting the area for the day or a holiday. The town is well worth a quick mooch, and we found plenty of interesting shops. The highlight of our visit was the Forest Deli, which has some special food options.
Coleford Music Festival
Coleford Music Festival takes place usually in the middle of July in various places in the town centre. They hold the festival to support local companies, organisations, performers, artists, and also groups from the Forest of Dean.
Where to stay in Coleford?
There are many options in the town and local villages for holiday home rentals, a popular choice. For adventurers, there are some great campsites near to Coleford, the closest being Greenacres Campsite. For hotels and holiday rentals, the Booking.com website is a great resource for finding available accommodation. If you are after a centrally located place to stay, the Angel Hotel is a good option.
Food & Drinks Out
There are many options for eating out or going for a beer in Coleford. There are also a few takeaway places, including a fish & chip shop, a Chinese takeaway and a pizza delivery company. Some pubs and restaurants in Coleford are pet-friendly, thus ideal for tourists with a dog in tow. There are also other special restaurants throughout the Forest of Dean.
The Doghouse
A pub in the centre of Coleford that serves a great and diverse selection of local ciders and other drinks. They describe themselves as a micropub that sells real ales, local ciders & great wine. https://www.facebook.com/Thedoghousemicropubcoleford/
The Angel Hotel
The first establishment you will see if arriving in Coleford by bus is The Angel Hotel. The Angel is a welcoming pub that serves an array of drinks at reasonable prices. Also, the staff and locals are a friendly bunch. For food, they have a bar menu or a full restaurant menu for diners wanting more than pub grub. https://angelhotel.southcoastinns.co.uk/
How To Get Here?
Coleford is accessible by public transport, and there are buses from various towns nearby. This includes Gloucester, Lydney and Monmouth. These are operated by Stagecoach and are dog friendly.