Coleford

Coal dust and iron ore once filled the air here, but these days Coleford breathes easier as the unofficial capital of the Forest of Dean. This former mining town sits at the heart of one of England's most ancient woodlands, where wild boar roam freely and Roman roads still cut through the canopy.

Puzzlewood steals the show - an otherworldly landscape of twisted tree roots and mossy pathways that inspired Tolkien and became a filming location for Star Wars and Harry Potter. It's properly magical, though expect crowds during school holidays. The Coleford Great Western Railway Museum tells the area's industrial story with more heart than you'd expect from a railway collection.

Forget the cinema back home. Studio Cinema here shows independent films in a proper old-school setting that puts multiplex chains to shame.

The surrounding Forest of Dean offers some of Britain's best walking country. Long Balls Grove and Forge Wood provide quieter alternatives to the main tourist trails, while Craig y Dorth Hillfort rewards the climb with views across the Wye Valley. Mountain bikers rate the forest trails highly, and Whitecliff 4x4 provides off-road thrills for those wanting something more adventurous.

Getting here requires a car really - Coleford sits about 4 miles from the A40, with Gloucester the nearest major town at 17 miles. The heritage railway runs from Perrygrove to Rookwood, offering a scenic way to see the forest without walking.

Staying at one of the local campsites makes perfect sense. You're right in the forest rather than driving in daily, and places like Bracelands Campsite put you within walking distance of the best trails. Plus you'll hear the dawn chorus that city folk never experience.