Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle is one of the most important and historic stone castles in Britain. It stands on a limestone cliff above the River Wye at the southern edge of Chepstow town, close to the English border. Its long, narrow form stretches along the ridge for more than two hundred metres, which makes Chepstow the oldest and one of the longest surviving stone fortresses in Wales and England. Construction began shortly after the Norman Conquest. The first stone structure, the Great Tower, was built in 1067 for William FitzOsbern, one of the most powerful Norman lords. This makes Chepstow the earliest surviving stone keep in Britain, built at a time when most castles still relied on timber. The castle was expanded many times over the centuries. During the late twelfth century the Great Tower was heightened and improved under the care of William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, one of the greatest knights of the medieval world. His sons and later the Bigod family continued the work, turning Chepstow into a sophisticated and heavily defended stronghold. The layout includes four wards arranged along the clifftop. Each ward contains a mixture of towers, gatehouses, curtain walls and service buildings. The Middle Gatehouse and Upper Gatehouse show the development of defensive architecture from Norman to medieval periods. The castle also retains one of the oldest and best preserved portcullis slots in Britain. Inside the Great Tower there are remains of fine medieval plasterwork and decorative stonework. Chepstow Castle played a significant role throughout medieval and early modern history. It was held during numerous Welsh uprisings and served as a key fortress during border conflicts. In the seventeenth century it was garrisoned during the English Civil War, and after its final surrender in 1648 the castle was partially dismantled. Despite this, its massive walls survived in remarkably good condition. The castle stands today as an outstanding example of medieval military architecture. Its riverside setting, great height above the Wye gorge and remarkably intact walls make it one of the most visually dramatic fortresses in Wales. Chepstow is now cared for by Cadw and is fully accessible to the public, with extensive interpretation on site. Alternate names: Striguil Castle, Castell Cas-gwent Chepstow Castle Chepstow Castle is one of the most important and historic stone castles in Britain. It stands on a limestone cliff above the River Wye at the southern edge of Chepstow town, close to the English border. Its long, narrow form stretches along the ridge for more than two hundred metres, which makes Chepstow the oldest and one of the longest surviving stone fortresses in Wales and England. Construction began shortly after the Norman Conquest. The first stone structure, the Great Tower, was built in 1067 for William FitzOsbern, one of the most powerful Norman lords. This makes Chepstow the earliest surviving stone keep in Britain, built at a time when most castles still relied on timber. The castle was expanded many times over the centuries. During the late twelfth century the Great Tower was heightened and improved under the care of William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, one of the greatest knights of the medieval world. His sons and later the Bigod family continued the work, turning Chepstow into a sophisticated and heavily defended stronghold. The layout includes four wards arranged along the clifftop. Each ward contains a mixture of towers, gatehouses, curtain walls and service buildings. The Middle Gatehouse and Upper Gatehouse show the development of defensive architecture from Norman to medieval periods. The castle also retains one of the oldest and best preserved portcullis slots in Britain. Inside the Great Tower there are remains of fine medieval plasterwork and decorative stonework. Chepstow Castle played a significant role throughout medieval and early modern history. It was held during numerous Welsh uprisings and served as a key fortress during border conflicts. In the seventeenth century it was garrisoned during the English Civil War, and after its final surrender in 1648 the castle was partially dismantled. Despite this, its massive walls survived in remarkably good condition. The castle stands today as an outstanding example of medieval military architecture. Its riverside setting, great height above the Wye gorge and remarkably intact walls make it one of the most visually dramatic fortresses in Wales. Chepstow is now cared for by Cadw and is fully accessible to the public, with extensive interpretation on site.