Coalville is a former colliery town in the district of North West Leicestershire, and it makes little attempt to disguise its industrial past. The Snibston Colliery was sunk in 1833 with involvement from George Stephenson himself, and for well over a century the pits shaped the street plan and local identity. Mining ended in the 1980s, but the town has rebuilt itself as a practical market town with a loyal base of independent retailers and a position on the edge of the National Forest.
In brief
- Regular market at Marlborough Square: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
- Independent antique, vintage and specialist shops alongside the Belvoir Shopping Centre
- Walking and cycling trails at Snibston Colliery Park, on the former mine site
- Memorial Clock Tower at the town centre, completed in 1925
The High Street and Markets
Marlborough Square is where most shoppers start. The outdoor market runs four days a week with fresh produce, clothing and household goods: the kind of mix that suits regulars rather than day-trippers. The Belvoir Shopping Centre handles the essentials, and smaller independents fill in around it.
The high street rewards a patient walk. Antique and vintage dealers stock a rotating range of collectables, furniture and curiosities, and locals know to check back regularly because the stock genuinely turns over. The Shopappy directory is the best way to see which independents are currently trading before you make the trip.
Heritage and Landmarks
The Memorial Clock Tower at the town centre, designed by Henry Collings and completed in 1925, is the easiest orientation point. It stands at the main crossroads and commemorates Coalville residents lost in both World Wars.
Snibston Colliery Park occupies the old mine site, where the original headstocks still stand above walking and cycling trails. The Century Theatre, one of Britain’s oldest surviving mobile theatres and now permanently sited nearby, runs a regular programme of drama and music. For a longer excursion, Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, a working Trappist monastery founded in 1835, sits about four miles away in the Charnwood Forest. Comparable energy among independents can be found in Barnsley’s independent shops to the north or, further east, in Grimsby’s town centre.
Making a Day of It
The National Forest starts on Coalville’s doorstep, and Forestry England trails are within a short drive. A morning at the market, an afternoon on the trails and an evening meal in town gives a full day without repeating yourself.
The town sits on the A511 and A50, so it pairs easily with visits to Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Loughborough or Swadlincote. Parking in the town centre is generally uncomplicated, which is a genuine advantage over larger regional centres nearby.
Does Coalville have a regular market?
Yes. The outdoor market at Marlborough Square runs on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm, with a mix of fresh food, clothing and general goods stalls.
What is there to see near Coalville?
Snibston Colliery Park is the most distinctive local attraction, with original mining headstocks and walking trails on the old colliery site. Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, a working Trappist monastery, is about four miles away in Charnwood Forest, and the National Forest offers cycling and walking routes throughout the surrounding area.
How do I find independent shops in Coalville?
The Shopappy directory is the quickest starting point. The town has independents on and around the high street, including antique and vintage dealers. The market at Marlborough Square also features independent traders four days a week.