Living in Coleford

Coleford has a distinctly community-driven atmosphere, with many residents knowing their neighbours and actively participating in local groups and societies. The town hosts a number of annual events, including the Coleford Music Festival and the Forest of Dean Half Marathon, both of which attract visitors and unite the local community in celebration.

Markets and local fairs are staples of the calendar, bringing in crafts, produce, and entertainment within the heart of the town. Residents enjoy easy access to green spaces, walking trails, and the wider Forest of Dean, promoting an active, outdoor lifestyle. Community centres, churches, and sports clubs are also integral to local life, offering activities for all ages throughout the year.

Safety and crime rates in Coleford are typically lower than those found in larger urban centres. The town and its surrounding villages benefit from the cohesive atmosphere of a rural community, where residents frequently know their neighbours and look out for one another. While incidents of anti-social behaviour do occur occasionally, serious crime remains infrequent compared to national averages.

The Forest of Dean area is generally regarded as a safe place to live, with active support from Gloucestershire Constabulary. Community policing teams engage with residents and local schools to maintain a visible presence and address concerns proactively. Local initiatives and Neighbourhood Watch schemes further contribute to maintaining a sense of security throughout the area.

Parking in Coleford is generally considered convenient, especially for a market town. There are several public car parks around the town centre, catering to both residents and visitors, and on-street parking can be found on many residential streets. While some permit schemes exist in the busiest areas, most parking arrangements remain straightforward and affordable.

Coleford has good road access via the A4136, facilitating routes to neighbouring towns and major roads such as the A40 and A48 for wider travel in the region. Traffic congestion is rarely an issue, even during peak holiday times, as the town's layout supports easy movements in and around the Forest of Dean.

Key road links and travel times:

• Monmouth – approx. 15 minutes via A4136 (7 miles)
• Gloucester – approx. 40 minutes via A4136/A40 (24 miles)
• Hereford – approx. 55 minutes via A4136/A49 (36 miles)
• Bristol – approx. 1 hour via A48/M48 (35 miles)

Coleford offers a welcoming selection of eateries, historic pubs, and relaxed cafés, befitting its market town status. Traditional pub fare can be enjoyed at venues like The Angel Hotel and The Dog House Micro Pub, both noted for their friendly service and local ales. Several cafés and tearooms provide daytime dining and afternoon tea experiences, with locally sourced produce often featuring prominently on menus.

The town centre is dotted with a mixture of family-run restaurants and independent takeaways catering to a wide range of tastes, from classic fish and chips to Italian and Indian cuisine. Nightlife in Coleford is mostly low-key, centring around social pubs and occasional live music events, though more vibrant venues can be found in nearby towns such as Monmouth or Lydney. Seasonal events and markets, particularly around Christmas and summer, lend a lively flourish to the social scene.

School quality: Coleford and the surrounding area offer primary and secondary education options with solid local reputations and good Ofsted reports, making them accessible for families.

Parks and green space: Families benefit from direct access to the Forest of Dean, extensive walking and cycling routes, and local play parks such as those in King George V Playing Field.

Childcare: Several nurseries, childminders, and afterschool clubs operate within Coleford, offering support to working parents and young families.

Safety: Low crime rates and a strong sense of community foster a reassuringly safe environment for families with children.

Family activities: The town and surrounding region host a range of family-friendly attractions, from puzzle adventures in Puzzlewood to steam train rides at the Dean Forest Railway, ensuring varied entertainment all year round.

Coleford is highly regarded for its pet-friendly approach, thanks to the availability of vast open spaces, woodland walks, and dog-friendly parks. The Forest of Dean is a popular location for dog walkers, with well-maintained trails and accessible routes suitable for pets of all ages and abilities.

Local veterinary clinics, such as those situated in town and nearby Lydney, cater to pet health needs. A handful of pet shops offer supplies and advice for dog, cat, and small animal owners. Many pubs and cafés in Coleford also welcome pets, reflecting the town's inclusive attitude towards animal companions in both public and housing settings.

Coleford enjoys a peaceful rural setting but remains well-connected to surrounding towns and cities. While the town doesn't have a train station, Lydney Station (about 7 miles away) provides access to the national rail network, offering direct routes to Cardiff, Gloucester and beyond. Bus services link Coleford with Gloucester, Monmouth, and local Forest of Dean villages, supporting commutes and leisure travel alike.

Main road connections include the A4136, which runs through Coleford, connecting the area to Monmouth and the A40 for further travel towards Hereford or Gloucester. The region is also well set for car travel, with the M4 and M5 motorways accessible within a 45-minute drive for longer-distance connections.

Approximate travel times to key destinations:

• Gloucester – approx. 40 minutes by car (24 miles)
• Monmouth – approx. 15 minutes by car (7 miles)
• Bristol – around 1 hour by car (35 miles)
• Cardiff – around 1 hour by car (44 miles)
• London – approx. 2 hours 30 minutes by car (125 miles)

The nearest major airport is Bristol Airport which is accessible in just over an hour, supporting both domestic and international travel.

The provision for schools in Coleford reflects its size and rural setting, with a small but capable selection of primary and secondary institutions. Surrounding villages complement Coleford's own schools, ensuring a reasonable breadth of choice for local families. The educational landscape here mostly consists of state-funded schools, with the nearest further education colleges found in neighbouring towns.

Primary Schools:

St John's Church of England Academy is a well-regarded primary school in Coleford, blending strong academic results with a supportive atmosphere. Coalway Community Infant School and Coalway Junior School both provide early years education, with good reputations among local parents.

Secondary Schools:

Dene Magna School, located in nearby Mitcheldean, draws pupils from Coleford and is rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted (May 2012). Five Acres High School in Berry Hill offers a secondary education option closer to town and has been rated "Good" by Ofsted (December 2019).

Colleges and Sixth Forms:

Gloucestershire College has a Forest of Dean campus in Cinderford, just a short drive away, providing sixth form, technical, and adult learning opportunities. For wider subject specialisms, students travel to larger colleges in Gloucester or Monmouth.

Universities:

There are no universities based directly in Coleford. The University of Gloucestershire in Gloucester and Cheltenham offers higher education within commutable distances, while University of South Wales in Newport is another accessible option for residents.