Go tree-hugging in Coleford
The small market town of Coleford lies close to the Welsh border and the Wye Valley, so expect lots of stunning scenery during your visit. But it's the Forest of Dean that really grabs the attention of visitors to the area. This triangular plateau is one of the UK's largest woodlands and also features various historical sites, from palaeozoic rocks to the medieval St Briavels Castle. Puzzlewood, a maze of pathways and deep gulleys, can be found here; it has provided the backdrop for scenes in Doctor Who, Merlin and other TV shows and films.
Get on track at the Coleford Great Western Railway Museum
Housed in a former GWR goods shed, this museum was founded in 1988 and for almost 30 years has celebrated the history of the area's railways, from the early 19th century when the first plateways were laid, to the 1970s when the Dean Forest Railway was formed. Of particular interest are a miniature railway, a signal box and a short stretch of track that is home to a spectacular Peckett locomotive and ex-GWR rolling stock.
Going underground - an unforgettable subterranean adventure at Hopewell Colliery
Take a guided tour around Hopewell Colliery, a disused former coal mine. In 45 minutes, visitors can sample what life was like underground for those who first dug out its tunnels in the 1820s. The exit takes you right into the Forest of Dean, but it's just a short walk back to the colliery itself for tea and cake at the on-site cafe. Looking for a cheap hotel Near Coleford? Try the Travelodge Bristol Severn View Hotel or the Travelodge Stonehouse Hotel.