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The small market town of Coleford lies in the west of the Forest of Dean. The town, which has a population of 8,351, is situated approximately four miles to the east of the Welsh border on the English side, and is close to the Wye Valley, a popular walking and canoeing area. The town is the administrative centre of the Forest of Dean District. It was first recorded as Colevorde in 1275, when it was in part of the Royal hunting forest. It takes its name from one of the two rivers that merge in its centre, and was formerly a fording point.

By the beginning of the fourteenth century, Coleford had a thriving small market and, because of its network of tracks and roadways as well as several inns and alehouses, its importance was increasing. By the end of the century, the tree cover of the forest was receding to higher ground. Charcoal played an important part in the smelting of iron and is probably the reason why quite a substantial amount of wood was removed from the surrounding areas. The production of charcoal usually took place in the woods, the charcoal then being transported to the smelting bloomeries via the old hollow ways. Iron ore extraction was known to take place in nearby Scowles and Perrygrove (now known as Puzzle Wood, and a popular tourist attraction). Small furnaces and forges were set up near to the deposits.

Coleford also played a minor part in the Civil War, a skirmish taking place in the town when an army consisting of 1500 foot soldiers and nearly 500 horsemen was opposed by a party of Parliamentarians led by Colonel Berrowe. According to legend, the attacking forces lost Major-General Sir Richard Lawley who was shot through the eye, and the town's market hall was damaged. The town was granted a Charter by King Charles II, dated 30th April 1661 for a market and two fairs, the market to be held on Fridays. During the two fair days, a Court of Pie Powder was also to be held. (The Court of Pie Powder administered instant justice at markets and fairs and settled disputes on the spot. Pie Powder is a corruption of Old French pied poudre meaning ‘dusty of foot’, used to describe itinerant traders.)

Because of its strength as a market town, Coleford prospered during the 19th and early part of the 20th century, when coal mining was the staple industry in the area. This enabled it to cope with the mine closures of the 1950's without suffering the major decline in its fortunes that some of the other towns endured. Aspects of the centuries-old tradition of Freemining can be seen in a number of local tourist attractions.

One of the town’s most famous former residents was Robert Forester Mushet, born here in 1811. He was a metallurgist, and perfected the Bessemer process for making steel in 1856/7. The first steel rail was forged at Ebbw Vale from his metal, and placed in Derby Station in 1857. He also invented high-speed self-hardening steel in 1868, though because of lack of funding and ill health he lost his patents. It is still possible to visit his birthplace, and the remains of the Dark Hill Works, where he worked.

Today, due to its excellent location in the heart of the forest, Coleford is popular with walkers and cyclists. The district council, which has its headquarters in the town, has been encouraging tourists to the area as it is an ideal base from which to explore, and is popular with both residents and visitors. The town centre is a conservation area, featuring several buildings of historical interest. The architecture is mainly Georgian in appearance, but many buildings have facades covering much older buildings. 'The Angel' pub has a large, arched entrance, hinting at its coaching inn days. The Clock Tower, in the centre of the town, was originally attached to an octagonal church, built in 1821, but when, in 1882, this church was considered to be too small for the town’s population, the main building was demolished, leaving just the tower.

There are 33 cafes, restaurants and pubs serving Coleford, and the surrounding area, so visitors are well catered for. The Tourist Information Centre, in the High Street, has information about the wide variety of attractions to visit, as well as the festivals and events that take place throughout the year. For those with a sporting interest, there is an excellent, well equipped leisure centre, two 18 hole golf courses and, of course, the beautiful Forest of Dean itself, where visitors can walk, run, cycle, canoe, ride, or just relax and enjoy a barbeque.