Chepstow

Travel Guide

Tintern Abbey showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and building ruins
Chepstow
Tintern Abbey showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and a ruin
Tintern Abbey showing heritage architecture, a ruin and heritage elements
Tintern Abbey featuring a ruin, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Nestled in an almost signature ‘S’ bend of theRiver Wye is the attractive market town of Chepstowin the Welsh county of Monmouthshire. With Gloucestershire just over theborder, Bristol a short drive away and Newport just down the road Chepstowis ideally located for exploring the southwest of England and the surroundingWelsh countryside but there are plenty of other reasons to plan a break in Chepstow.

On theRiver Wye

For a start there’s its rather delightful locationas the River Wye snakes its way to join the River Severn just a couple of milesdownstream. The western end of the Severn Bridge links the town withneighbouring Gloucestershire and makes an iconic sight as it reaches across theriver to join Wales and England.

ChepstowCastle

And, of course, there’s that dramatic castleoverlooking the town like a domineering but protective patriarch. The magnificentNorman castle at Chepstow perches on top of alimestone cliff that hangs over the river, and guards the main river crossing.Miraculously intact this is actually one of the oldest castles in Britain,dating all the way back to the Norman Conquest, and the impressive Great Tower stillfeatures its original architecture.

ChepstowMuseum

You can learn all about the castle’s history in themuseum that is housed in the Lower Bailey and to bring your understanding of Chepstow’shistory up to date you can nip across the road from the castle into the 18thcentury town house in which a kid-friendly museum brings the town’s industrial andsocial history to life.

If its myth and legend that you are after then Chepstowcan provide you with plenty of romantic legends too. It is said that a cave inthe cliff underneath the castle is where King Arthur and his trusty knights areresting and conserving their powers until the next time that Britain needssaving from dark forces.

Chepstow Shops

The name Chepstowderives from the old English ‘chepe stowe’ which means market place or tradingcentre. The town centre today has over 130 shops within easy walking distance andthe pedestrianised St Mary's Street contains antique shops, craft and giftshops, cafes and restaurants.

Festivalsin Chepstow

Markets and festivals still define the rhythms ofthe weeks and changing of the seasons here. The ChepstowFarmer’s market is held on the second and fourth Saturday of every month andthe Chepstow Show draws farmers from miles aroundto display their wares and compete for prizes every August. Meanwhile in Julythe Two Rivers Folk Festival offers three days of music and dance and there isthe Chepstow Festival packed with medievalre-enactments, pageantry and drama.

ChepstowRacecourse

For those partial to a flutter you are in the righttown: ChepstowRacecourse is the leading horse racing course in Wales. You will findit on the edge of the town, in the grounds of the ruined Piercefield House. Theracecourse itself was first opened in 1926, and has held the Welsh National since1949.

VisitChepstow

With its stunning but centrallocation, historical sights and contemporary shopping, hotels and restaurants,river views and racecourse excitement, Chepstowoffers an ideal place to explore Wales and Southwest England.

Where to stay in Chepstow

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Caerwent

Caerwent is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Caerwent Roman Town and Dewstow Golf Club.

Caerwent
Delta Hotels by Marriott St. Pierre Country Club
Delta Hotels by Marriott St. Pierre Country Club
4 out of 5
St Pierre Park, Chepstow, Wales
The price is RM423 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
RM423
RM507 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Chepstow. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a golf course. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Very fascinating, though view from the window was just wall. But the property is very nice."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott St. Pierre Country Club
Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
4 out of 5
2 Lower Castle Street, Old Market, Bristol, England
The price is RM360 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
RM360
RM432 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (331 reviews)
"Comfortable room, very clean. The only thing was that the food was not cleared away quickly enough from the outside seating area which attracted a gull who started eating the leftover food."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
Celtic Manor Resort
Celtic Manor Resort
5 out of 5
Chepstow Road, Coldra Wood, Newport, Wales
The price is RM545 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
RM545
RM654 total
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 indoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,300 reviews)
"Great family stay ! Excellent food options and spa facilities great"

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Celtic Manor Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
4 out of 5
Quakers Friars Cabot Circus, Bristol, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and bicycle rentals on site. Popular attractions Cabot Circus Shopping ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (173 reviews)
Nice, not easy to deal with…1
"Nice place. The instructions to enter the property are poor and there is no luggage store as listed. This is rental property, not with the amenities you expect. If you can arrive at the specific times the pace is open and understand this place is over multiple sites across the city, you will be fine. ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Bristol Cabot Circus
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
4 out of 5
Usk Way, Endeavour House, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Newport ...
8/10 Very Good! (205 reviews)
"Inside was great, the staff were very helpful and friendly, the room was fine, though the carpet was a bit tired. It was just by a busy bridge which had a lot of traffic and mostly it became quiet when the window was closed. I will certainly think of staying in places like that again (student ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
4 Berkeley Sq - YourApartment
4 Berkeley Sq - YourApartment
3 out of 5
4 Berkeley Square, Bristol, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Bristol. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Bristol Hippodrome Theatre and Cabot ...
8/10 Very Good! (42 reviews)
Basement flat nr Clifton
"Small basement flat, with shower. No access to outside space but window coukd be opened to allow fresh air. Hot weekend in Bristol but flat was still cool. Some communication from the managers had to chased (check in details etc.) but friendly and efficient once asked. Good base for a night or ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

4 Berkeley Sq - YourApartment
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of Chepstow

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
17
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
18
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 5%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Scenic

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Local people very friendly and helpful

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice area. Sad about the hotel room through!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

good place for weekend visit,people in chepstow very friendly

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely town, beautiful scenery and walks

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely town with plenty to see including the castle, museum and a pottery. It seems a vibrant place both during the day and at night.