Things to see and do Chepstow (Cas-Gwent)

It is the most impressive Norman fortress ruin in the valley and the first stone castle built in the United Kingdom. Following the victory of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, became King of England and organized the defence of his new territory. Hereford County was entrusted to William Fitz-Osbern, who had the first building of Chepstow Castle built to counter the Welsh attacks: the Great Tower, now at the centre of the overall structure. In 1189, the building passed into the hands of William Marshal. This knight, renowned for his military knowledge, had defensive walls added on either side of the Great Tower, which corresponded to the castle's current enclosure. The entrance was built under his reign, flanked by round towers, a revolutionary detail at a time when the towers were square. The impressive oak doors, also built by Marshal, are the oldest castle doors in Europe!

The Marten's Tower was added between 1285 and 1293, under the reign of Roger Bigod. The castle houses a museum that reconstructs the entire history of the building, particularly through its constant architectural improvements, from a defensive point of view. It is considered by specialists as exemplary in this respect, having always known how to adapt to new attack techniques and often in an innovative way. Aesthetically, it is a pleasure to walk through the impressive volumes of the fortress and contemplate the river.

This museum is dedicated to the history of the town. A series of watercolors depicts Chepstow's major architectural and technical developments. It also tells the story of transport, the construction of the bridge and the railroad. The history of the house, which was used as a hospital during the war, is also told, followed by that of the inhabitants, through an exhibition of everyday objects and accessories relating to work, leisure and fashion. Upstairs, paintings, engravings and drawings of the town from the ^18th and ^19th centuries.

A friendly gallery that sells local crafts, jewellery, ashtrays and other pottery, watercolours of Chepstow views by artist David Jones and other local painters, miniatures and natural soaps reproducing the Welsh flag in relief, with its dragon ! The opportunity to find some original souvenirs to bring back and to discover and/or support both the local economy and local crafts and artists.