Discover Coleford: Forest Paths, Railways and History

Coleford combines winding forest paths, special railway experiences and a market square with visible history. When planning a trip, you can choose between active days in the countryside, discoveries related to the railway and historical impressions. These different focuses help you find suitable accommodation and create a daily rhythm that suits you personally.

Forest Paths and Walking Opportunities

Puzzlewood offers an unusual natural experience: the forest is considered a rare temperate rainforest and lies within a 14-acre ancient woodland. Winding paths lead through this landscape; there are more than 200 steps in total. A 1.5-mile route runs through moss-covered ravines and over wooden bridges to viewpoints. Anyone incorporating such a walk into their plans should take the length and the steps into account when structuring the day.

For other preferences, Coleford's Hidden Heritage offers shorter routes as well as routes without inclines. Coleford is also recognised as a Walkers are Welcome town. The Coleford-Milkwall-Parkend walking route runs through or near Coleford. This makes it possible to compare different types of walking without every route having to be the same in character.

Railways Between Forest and Farmland

The steam trains of the Perrygrove Railway run along a route through farmland and woodland. The railway has four stations; from each station, paths lead to walking opportunities and picnic areas in the ancient Perrygrove Wood. This creates a combination of a train ride and subsequent time outdoors for your trip planning, allowing you to arrange the individual experiences according to your interests.

The history of the railway is also present in Coleford. The Great Western Railway Museum Coleford is housed in a former goods shed dating from 1883. Coleford's main car park also contains a 7 1/4-gauge miniature railway. These different railway attractions have different emphases: one involves a route through landscapes, another a historic building or a small railway within the townscape.

Coleford's Market Square and History

Coleford's market square is surrounded by Georgian-style façades. A commemorative plaque there recalls the Battle of Coleford, which was fought on 20 February 1643. The Sealed Knot returns to Coleford every year and holds a commemorative parade in the market square on the Saturday closest to the anniversary of the battle.

The Clock Tower is also part of the historic townscape. The historic clock tower is the surviving part of a church demolished in the 19th century, is a Grade II listed building and lies within a Conservation Area. At the same time, the market square is the preferred location in the Forest of Dean for public outdoor events. Anyone wishing to combine history with present-day town life will find several starting points here for planning their own trip.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Trip Plans

When looking for a holiday cottage in Coleford, it is worth choosing according to your preferred travel style: for Puzzlewood or a combination of forest and railway, you should allow enough time for the respective route. Shorter or incline-free routes are among the options at Coleford's Hidden Heritage; for cultural and historical interests, the market square, Clock Tower, commemorative plaque and museum offer themes for planning your day. This allows you to choose accommodation that matches the experiences you want to shape your stay.

Other Places for Your Research

If you would like to compare Coleford with other destinations, you can also take a closer look at Stonehouse, Fairford, Tewkesbury, Wotton-Under-Edge, Tetbury, Bibury, Moreton In Marsh and Redmarley D'abitot.

For the overarching travel overview: Gloucestershire.