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Chepstow Castle
  • Chepstow Castle
  • Chepstow Castle
  • Chepstow Castle
  • Chepstow Castle
  • Chepstow Castle

Book Tickets Online

About

Chepstow Castle is a must-visit as the oldest post-Roman stone castle in the UK (with the oldest castle doors in Europe!). It is a beautifully preserved masterpiece of medieval engineering, perched high above the Wye Valley like a history lesson in stone.

There’s no better place in Britain to see how castles gradually evolved to cope with ever more destructive weaponry – and the grandiose ambitions of their owners. For more than six centuries Chepstow Castle was home to some of the wealthiest and most powerful men of the medieval and Tudor ages.

Building was started in 1067 by Earl William fitz Osbern, close friend of William the Conqueror, making it one of the first Norman strongholds in Wales. In turn William Marshal (Earl of Pembroke), Roger Bigod (Earl of Norfolk) and Charles Somerset (Earl of Worcester) all made their mark before the castle declined after the Civil War.

Magnates and power-brokers were constantly on the move. Chepstow was just one residence in their vast estates – an impressive shell into which they would bring their gold and silver vessels, rich silk and brightly painted furniture.

Nowadays Chepstow Castle is managed by Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, and has many fantastic events throughout the year, from re-enactments and falconry displays, to live music and theatre.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Member - Free

Adult - £8.70
Senior - £8.10
Juniors / Students - £6.10
Family - £28.20

All children under 5 receive free entry

Events

5th Apr 2025 - 6th Apr 2025

12th July 2025 - 13th July 2025

DoctorLet’s Discover…Medieval MedicineCome along and meet Chepstow Castle’s medieval doctor - who will be curing all for the day!
more info

12th Apr 2025 - 13th Apr 2025

Chepstow CastleMedieval Wargaming: Skirmishes, Battles, and SiegesHave a go at tactical tabletop gaming at Chepstow Castle, leading your own baron and his household to glory on the tournament field.
more info

14th Apr 2025 - 20th Apr 2025

CodebreakerEaster CodebreakerBecome an Easter Codebreaker and help the Lord of Chepstow Castle find the combination code for his Easter Egg safe.
more info

19th Apr 2025 - 20th Apr 2025

19th July 2025 - 20th July 2025

FalconMedieval Falconry at Chepstow CastleGet up close and personal with a variety of birds of prey this weekend at Chepstow Castle!
more info

23rd Apr 2025 - 23rd Apr 2025

23rd July 2025 - 23rd July 2025

30th July 2025 - 30th July 2025

6th Aug 2025 - 6th Aug 2025

13th Aug 2025 - 13th Aug 2025

20th Aug 2025 - 20th Aug 2025

27th Aug 2025 - 27th Aug 2025

Arts & CraftsMake and Take at Chepstow CastleGet crafty at Chepstow Castle with our Make and Take day. Children can make something to play with in the castle and then take home.
more info

26th Apr 2025 - 26th Apr 2025

Chain mailChainmail Workshops at Chepstow CastleVisit Chepstow Castle and have a go at making a patch of maille (chain mail) to take home with you.
more info

3rd May 2025 - 5th May 2025

Chepstow CastleWilliam Marshall WeekendEnjoy medieval displays, have-a-go archery and sword school at Chepstow Castle.
more info

10th May 2025 - 11th May 2025

Medieval FoodLet’s Discover ... Medieval FoodDiscover what the medieval residents of Chepstow castle would have eaten, especially around feast days.
more info

17th May 2025 - 17th May 2025

Chepstow CastleIntroduction to Bookbinding WorkshopsLearn all about traditional and contemporary bookbinding at Chepstow Castle with bookbinder Kate Thomas.
more info

17th May 2025 - 17th May 2025

MusicMedieval Music DayHead to Chepstow Castle and listen to medieval music, played on the authetic instruments.
more info

24th May 2025 - 1st June 2025

Chepstow CastleChepstow Castle BingoSearch the castle for features old and new, and be the first one in your family to shout … BINGO!
more info

31st May 2025 - 1st June 2025

Jester SchoolJuggling Jim's Jester SchoolVisit Chepstow Castle this weekend and see if you have what it takes to be a medieval jester!
more info

7th June 2025 - 8th June 2025

InstrumentsNorman tales and MusicVisit Chepstow Castle for a weekend of Norman music from Trouvere Medieval Minstrels.
more info

8th June 2025 - 8th June 2025

MacbethMacbeth at Chepstow CastleEnjoy live outdoor theatre at Chepstow Castle with the Duke Theatre Company's performance of Macbeth.
more info

21st June 2025 - 21st June 2025

Needle FeltingNeedle Felting Workshop at Chepstow CastleJoin acclaimed fibre and clay artist Emma Bevan from Woven Earth Studio on a fantastic Needle Felting session at Chepstow Castle.
more info

22nd July 2025 - 22nd July 2025

Chepstow CastleLet’s Discover…ChainmailVisit Chepstow Castle and learn all about chainmail.
more info

26th July 2025 - 27th July 2025

MusicSteps back in TimePut on your dancing shoes and visit Chepstow Castle this weekend, as we learn about the evolution of dance, from the medieval farandole to the French court dances of the 17th century.
more info

29th July 2025 - 29th July 2025

Chepstow CastleLet’s Discover… Medieval WeaponsCome and be entertained by our resident knight, and get a close-up look at medieval weaponry! 
more info

2nd Aug 2025 - 3rd Aug 2025

Chepstow CastleChepstow Under Siege 1645Civil War living history encampment at Chepstow Castle. Try on armour, handle weapons and take part in drills.
more info

5th Aug 2025 - 5th Aug 2025

Chepstow CastleLet’s Discover… Medieval WarfareFind out all about medieval strategy, tactics and sieges at Chepstow Castle. 
more info

7th Aug 2025 - 10th Aug 2025

14th Aug 2025 - 17th Aug 2025

21st Aug 2025 - 25th Aug 2025

Castell RocCastell Roc Music FestivalCastell Roc is an annual festival held within Chepstow Castle. Enjoy 13 different performances over 18 days in August.
more info

12th Aug 2025 - 12th Aug 2025

Chepstow CastleLet’s Discover…The Printed WordLearn all about how to set type and print the old fashioned way with printer Francesca Kay.
more info

19th Aug 2025 - 19th Aug 2025

Chepstow CastleLet’s Discover ...WillowLearn all about the ancient craft of willow weaving at Chepstow Castle.
more info

26th Aug 2025 - 26th Aug 2025

Medieval HerbsLet’s Discover… Herbs and HeritageLearn all about herbs and their uses at Chepstow Castle during the Middle Ages.
more info

Related

Tintern AbbeyTintern Abbey (Cadw), TinternCistercian abbey, founded in 1131 in the beautiful Wye valley village of Tintern. Remarkably complete abbey church rebuilt in the later thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, with extensive remains of cloister and associated monastic buildings.

Raglan CastleRaglan Castle (Cadw), RaglanRaglan Castle is an impressive fifteenth-century castle built by Sir William ap Thomas and his son William Herbert, remodelled by William Somerset, third earl of Worcester, 1549-89. Finest late Medieval fortress in Britain. On-site exhibitions.

Chepstow CastleGroup Visits at Chepstow Castle, ChepstowChepstow Castle has a great deal to offer groups of all sizes.

Facilities

Other

  • Electric car charging point - In the Castle Dell Car park there are 4 EV parking bays.

Accessibility

  • Assistance dogs welcome
  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets - No toilets in the castle. Public toilets (including accessible toilet) in the car park opposite, around 350ft from castle entrance.
  • Facilities for hearing impaired - There are hearing loops in the ticket office and gift shop.
  • Facilities for visually impaired - Audio Tours are available (£3 a handset for non-members). We have designated handsets with bump dots to help visually impaired locate the buttons on the device.
  • Level Access - The majority of the monument can be explored at ground level. Towers and wall walks, plus the cellar, are all accessed via staircases of varying sizes.

Booking & Payment Details

  • Online Booking Possible

Catering

  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities - Baby changing facilities in the public toilets in the car park opposite, around 350ft from castle entrance.
  • Children welcome

Parking

  • EV Charging - In the Castle Dell Car park there are 4 EV parking bays
  • On site car park

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted - Dogs are welcome within the grounds. They must remain on a short lead and stay at ground level (not up or down staircases).
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets
  • Smoking not allowed

Site Features

  • Regional Tourist Board Member

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups

Map & Directions

Road Directions

M4 Eastbound Junction 23 or Westbound Junction 21 and take the M48; at Junction 2 take the A466 & A48 for Chepstow.Accessible by Public Transport: Chepstow station is 1 mile away.

Chepstow Castle (Cadw)

Type:Castle

Chepstow Castle, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 5EY
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Tel03000 252239

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Awards

  • Visit WalesCadw Welsh Government Cadw Welsh Government 2016
  • Visit WalesVisit Wales VAQAS Visit Wales VAQAS 2016
  • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

Opening Times

Season (1 July 2025 - 31 Aug 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday09:30 - 18:00
Bank Holiday09:30 - 18:00
Season (1 Sept 2025 - 31 Oct 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday09:30 - 17:00
Bank Holiday09:30 - 17:00
Season (1 Nov 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 16:00
Bank Holiday10:00 - 16:00

* Last admission 30 minutes before closing

What's Nearby

  1. Chepstow Museum reveals the rich and varied past of this ancient town, once an important…

    0.12 miles away
  2. St Mary's Priory has been a centre for prayer and worship for over 950 years. St Mary's…

    0.2 miles away
  3. Chepstow Bridge is the World's largest iron arch road bridge from the first 50 years…

    0.21 miles away
  4. Chepstow Racecourse has it all - beautiful countryside, a friendly charming atmosphere,…

    0.72 miles away
  1. Piercefield woods are the gateway to the Lower Wye Valley, stretching for over 3km along…

    0.94 miles away
  2. Woodland in Thornwell on the southeast edge of Chepstow. With dramatic views on top of…

    1.26 miles away
  3. Medieval parish church of potential ninth century Celtic origin, named after the 9th…

    1.83 miles away
  4. Anthony and Sarah Clay are thrilled to welcome garden visitors.

    Wyndcliffe Court House…

    2.05 miles away
  5. Wyndcliff Wood is a superb example of a lower Wye Valley gorge woodland with ancient…

    2.13 miles away
  6. A modern house built on the site of a former sawmills for the Itton Court Estate. Garden…

    3.46 miles away
  7. The ruins of St. Mary's Church are on the hill above the former Abbey Hotel and…

    3.64 miles away
  8. Located deep in the heart of Monmouthshire, Veddw House Garden has been created through…

    3.71 miles away
  9. Cistercian abbey, founded in 1131 in the beautiful Wye valley village of Tintern.…

    3.71 miles away
  10. Set amidst breathtaking scenery and situated on the banks of the River Wye in the…

    3.8 miles away
  11. Built in 1876 to provide a rail link to the Lower Wireworks site, the Wireworks Bridge is…

    3.85 miles away
  12. Black Rock Picnic Site is a picturesque picnic site on the banks of the river Severn…

    3.95 miles away
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