Coldfield

Coldfield is a town and civil parish in the rural Midlands of Brackendale. The name derives from Old English ceald feld, meaning cold field, a reference to its early fields and the winds that sweep the area. The earliest records of Coldfield date to the 13th century, and the settlement grew slowly around a river crossing and agricultural activity.

Geographically, Coldfield lies at the confluence of the River Alder and the Greenway stream, with surrounding farmland, small woodlands, and gently rising hills to the north. The climate is temperate maritime, with mild winters, cool summers, and rainfall spread throughout the year.

Historically, Coldfield formed around a ford and toll crossing, developing into a market town in the late medieval period. In the 18th and 19th centuries it expanded with textile millwork, brickmaking, and a nearby coalfield. The arrival of the railway in the 1870s linked Coldfield to larger towns, spurring growth; later decades brought diversification and later deindustrialization, followed by redevelopment focused on services and light manufacturing.

Today the economy centers on retail, logistics, light manufacturing, and local services. The population is about 7,800, with a mix of families and older residents. The town supports several small employers and benefits from proximity to a regional road network.

Coldfield is governed by Coldfield Town Council within Northvale District. Notable sites include Coldfield Manor, St. Mary’s Church, and Coldfield Park. Cultural life centers on the annual Winterfield Festival and regular markets. Education is provided by Coldfield Primary School and Coldfield High School, with higher-level facilities in nearby towns.