Chepstow (or Casgwent in Welsh) bordering Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire is on the River Wye close to its confluence with the River Severn. The town is dominated by its castle on the banks of the river, the oldest surviving stone castle in Britain. There is a fine view of the castle from the old cast iron road bridge across the Wye, dating from 1816, an elegant example of Regency engineering. Until the Severn Bridge opened in 1966, this bridge carried all the road traffic between England and South Wales. Chepstow was a walled town and good sections can be seen Welsh Street car park, and either side of the A48 road. The Town Gate through the wall at the top end of the High Street was rebuilt in the 16th century and is still a prominent entry into the town.
Chepstow is has a good selection of shops, pubs, hotels etc. The racecourse, just outside the town hosts the Welsh Grand National and is the site for weekly markets and other events. The town holds a biennial festival, and an annual folk festival. There is also a local museum.
J. K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, lived in the adjoining village of Tutshill and attended Wyedean School just outside the town.
Chepstow is a excellent base to explore both the Forest of Dean and the lower Wye Valley and is convenient to South Wales and the Bristol area. It is also the start (or end) of the Offa's Dyke Path and the Wye ValleyWalk.
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