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Cinderford
ℹ️Practical info — Cinderford
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Use Cinderford as your base for the Forest of Dean; a car is highly recommended for reaching the best trailheads.
- Keep an eye out for free-roaming sheep in the town and surrounding roads, drive carefully!
- Pack waterproof clothing, as the weather in the forest can change unexpectedly.
- Visit the nearby Dean Heritage Centre to understand the area's rich coal mining history.
🍽 Food
Try locally sourced wild boar dishes at a traditional forest pub nearby.
Enjoy a pint of local cider in a cozy tavern after a long walk.
Look for a countryside inn around the town for a classic, hearty Sunday lunch.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Pick up regional specialties like Single Gloucester cheese just outside of town.
The town centre features practical independent shops for hiking snacks and supplies.
Walk along this former railway line right in town, offering peaceful paths and ponds.
Head slightly out of town to immerse yourself in ancient, tranquil woodlands.
Water temperature…
Cinderford, tucked away in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, is a town defined by its rugged industrial history and its scenic hilltop location. Unlike many ancient English towns, Cinderford is a child of the Industrial Revolution, expanding rapidly in the mid-19th century to support the burgeoning coal and iron industries. Its name is a testament to this past, likely derived from the 'cinders' left over from early iron smelting processes. The town's layout is unique, characterized by steep streets that offer sweeping views across the Severn Valley toward the Malvern Hills and the Cotswolds. The social fabric of Cinderford was long dictated by the mining industry and the unique institution of the 'Free Miners', who held ancient rights to dig for minerals in the Forest. Following the closure of the deep mines in the 1960s, Cinderford has reinvented itself as a center for light industry and education, housing a significant college campus. It remains a spirited community, proud of its heritage and its location in one of England's last truly ancient forests. Visitors are drawn to the town for its proximity to iconic forest attractions, its traditional independent shops, and the sense of authenticity that pervades this former mining stronghold.
- Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
- Top sights: Palace Cinema · Cinderford Linear Park · St Stephen's Church
- Nearby: Coleford (9 km)
- Population: ~8.773
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 7 | 5 |
| Rain mm | 67 | 54 | 56 | 49 | 61 | 63 | 67 | 70 | 49 | 80 | 79 | 76 |
Geography
Facts
- The town was a focal point for the 1831 Dean Forest Riots against enclosures.
- The coordinates of Cinderford are 51.8225° N, 2.4989° W.
- Cinderford is home to the Forest of Dean campus of Gloucestershire College.
- The town grew around the junction of the roads from Newnham and Mitcheldean.
- Average annual temperatures range between 8°C and 14°C.
- The town council was established in the late 19th century.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Cinderford (13)
Frequently asked questions
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