Coalway

{{Short description|Village in Gloucestershire, England}} {{One source|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}} {{Use British English|date=March 2015}} {{Infobox UK place| |official_name= Coalway |coordinates = {{coord|51.78973|-2.59902|display=inline,title}} |static_image_name=Busy junction in Coalway - geograph.org.uk - 1345159.jpg |static_image_caption= |civil_parish= |shire_district= Forest of Dean |shire_county = Gloucestershire |region= South West England |country= England |constituency_westminster= Forest of Dean |post_town= |postcode_area= |postcode_district= |dial_code= |os_grid_reference= SO587102 }} '''Coalway''' is a village in the West Forest of Dean region of Gloucestershire, England, approximately one mile south-east of the town of Coleford. Within the civil parish of Coleford, the village is just south of the village of Broadwell.

==History== An ancient route known in 1345 as the coal way ran north-westwards from the Forest boundary at Coalway Lane End and down Lord's hill to join the main road through Coleford east of Coller brook.<ref name="vch">[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23255 Coleford], Victoria County History</ref> Known later as Coller Lane, it was used by travellers from the Purton passage on the River Severn in the later 17th century.<ref name="vch"/>

Early building at Coalway was on or near the road between Coleford and Parkend, which was diverted southwards after it was turnpiked in 1796.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23266 Forest of Dean: Settlement], Victoria County History</ref> There was a beerhouse at Coalway by 1841, and this had expanded to three public houses by the late 1870s. The Plough (opposite ‘The Rec’) The Britannia Inn on Coalway cross and The Crown Inn. <ref name="vch-sl">[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23270 Forest of Dean: Social life], Victoria County History</ref> The last remaining of these is The Crown Inn.<ref name="vch-sl" /> Which had a field attached to it where bonfires and sheep sales was held. The Primitive Methodists built a chapel called "Pisgah" at Coalway in 1861.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23273 Forest of Dean: Protestant nonconformity], Victoria County History</ref>

A green was given by a local landowner to the people of Coalway for recreational and sports, in the latter part of the 1930’s. Funds was raised to build recreational equipment in the 70’s. A village hall was built on it and in 1988 changing rooms was built by the local football team Mushet and Coalway.<ref name="vch-sl"/> A school opened in 1966 when Coalway Infants School opened; this was followed by Coalway Junior school in 1976.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23274 Forest of Dean: Education], Victoria County History</ref>

The local woods have beautiful walks. Foxes, deer, badgers and wild boar are local to the forest.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline|Coalway}}

Category:Forest of Dean Category:Villages in Gloucestershire Category:Coleford, Gloucestershire