Walk Description

This is a short stroll beginning at the Castle car park, exploring the riverside area and providing a little of its history. If on a day visit It allows you time to visit the Museum, and Castle. During the Summer months watch out for Peregrine Falcons that nest on the cliffs opposite.

Grade Easy. There is a huge range of accommodation, view the section stay and eat for further details and there are excellent local transport links.

Chepstow Riverside Walk

• From the Chepstow Tourist Information Centre turn left out of the car park down Bridge Street.
• The old Wye Bridge at the end is a fine cast iron structure, and was until 1988 the main entrance into the town from Gloucestershire and the only crossing over the river for cars and other vehicles. It is at least the sixth bridge to be built on this site. Maintenance of the earlier stone and timber bridges was made very difficult by the extremely high tidal range here. The tide rises and falls by 40ft (12m) every day, the second highest in the world.
• To continue the walk cross the road with care to join the Riverside Park. There are WCs, including a disabled WC here.
• Just opposite the bandstand next to the river is the official start of the Wales Coast footpath which was officially opened on 5th May 2012.
• Today the Riverside Park is a restful place, but until a century or so ago it was a busy port. The area was then known as Gunstock Wharf, with piles oftimber on the quay and bark houses behind, for storing oak bark readyto be shipped to the tanning industry in Bristol and Ireland. Wooden sea-going merchant ships were built in three shipyards in Chepstow.
• A plaque on the wall records thee embarkation of the leaders of the Chartist uprising to van Dieman's Land (Tasmania), where they transported as punishment for leading a campaign to allow all men to have the right to vote.
• A number of old converted warehouses will be noted in this interesting area as you proceed along the path.
• Across the river is a natural square entrance hole in the cliff, known as the Gloucester Hole. The Union Jack was first painted on the cliff around 1935, and has been regularly repainted ever since.
• At the end of the path, join the road that leads away from the river. You may return to the Castle car park via St Ann Street (turn right at the first junction), or by continuing for a short distance up Lower Church Street, crossing the road to enter the Drill Hall car park.
• Walk across the car park to join a tarmac alleyway to Gwy Court. The access road for Gwy Court joins Bridge Street just below the museum and the Castle car park is just opposite.