Coleford Tourist Information and Travel Guide

Tour and Tourist Information Guide for the town of Coleford
in the Royal Forest of Dean

The market town of Coleford lies on the Western side of the Forest of Dean. Home to both local government and the Forestry Commission. Coleford is the administrative centre of the Forest of Dean.

Coleford, the administrative centre of the Forest of Dean.

Coleford is situated within easy reach of a great many interesting places to visit in the Forest of Dean, from the Wye Valley and Symonds Yat in the west, to the beautiful forest walks in the centre of the forest. Just outside the town are some of the area's best known family attractions.

• Clearwell Caves - Ancient iron mines. Of great interest to the whole family
• Symonds Yat - Superb views over the Wye Valley, good walks, and the Peregrine Falcons nesting.
• The Wye Valley - Picturesque easy walks, canoeing, fishing
• Puzzle Wood - Pleasant easy walks
• Beechenhurst - Picnic area with barbeque hearths, tourist lodge, cafeteria etc. Good walks
• The Sculpture Trail - Interesting walk with sculptures in the forest, including the stained glass window and the giant's chair.
• Railway Museum - An interesting collection of steam railway memorabilia from the Forest of Dean
• Perrygrove Steam Railway

Coleford has established a series of Town Walks, each including places of interest and illustrating the history of Coleford.

• The Churches Pilgrimage
• In Mushet's Footsteps
• Inns of the Past
• The Way we used to Live
• Tuck shops & Toyshop's
• The Supernatural

St. John's, Church of England was built in 1880, designed by S.Gambier-Parry, to replace the older original church in the market place (of which only the tower now remains)

The Baptist Church, The Baptists first began worship in the town in 1805, and the present church was built in 1858, and extended in 1889 to include school rooms. Old Church Records for family historians, and details of Coleford's other old chapels

The centre of the town has been designated as a Conservation Area and there are numerous buildings of historic interest to see in and around the town. The public library in Coleford has a number of excellent reference books on local history, plus free leaflets can be picked up at the town's Tourist Information Centre.

Coleford boasts its very own cinema, two excellent golf courses, the Great Western Railway Museum, a nearby off-road driving centre, free car and coach park, plus a good range of shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels.

Coleford is a thriving community and the administrative centre of the Forest of Dean. Coleford has a rich history, first recorded as Colevorde in 1275 when it was in part of the Royal hunting forest. It is well worth spending time looking around Coleford at its historical buildings, and taking the "Coleford Town Walk". It was here in in Coleford in the 1800's that Robert Mushet invented the process of making steel, and developed the first self-hardening tool steel.

There is a whole range of events that take place in Coleford throughout the year, including the Carnival of Transport in April, the well established Coleford Music Festival in May and dancing through the Dean in July, plus visitors have the opportunity to sample the locally produced food and drink at the Coleford Farmers Market which takes place in the town square every Friday.

A number of picturesque villages, such as Clearwell, Newland and St Briavels, can be found offering a warm welcome at local inns and hotels, plus the famous Symonds Yat Rock is just 3 miles away.

The Royal Forest of Dean, Wye Valley, Vale of Leadon and the Severn Vale