Local Places - Part 4

[smallhobbit]

Having been to Ross-on-Wye for my last Local Places post, this time we headed in the opposite direction for about the same distance, although not only a different county, but a different country and went to Chepstow in Wales.  My icon is taken from a large plaque recording all the counties on the Offa's Dyke Path.

At the time of the Normal conquest, Chepstow was the lowest bridging point of the River Wye (it still is, it joins the River Severn not far away)



and Chepstow Castle was built, beginning with the Great Tower around 1067.  We visited the castle last year and you can see more photos here.



At much the same time a Benedictine priory was founded and the Norman doorway to the church is still there.



It has had various additions over the years, including the stained glass (The Ascension, 1896) and the royal coat of arms (VR, 1841)

 

In the late thirteenth century a port wall was built, partly for defense of the town, but also to provide only one entrance to the market and therefore charge fees.  This gatehouse was rebuilt in the sixteenth century.



Chepstow was a flourishing town, with many inns, including the George Inn, which was originally built around 1624, but destroyed by fire in 1896 and rebuilt.  We had an excellent lunch there.

 

There are many other reminders of the history of the town, such as the almshouses, built in the early 1720s and the board school from 1878.

  


 

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Lovely photos! I love the stained glass and the one of the front of the church. Glad you had a good time.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much - I'm pleased you like them.

[margaret_r]

Gorgeous photos! I really like the river and castle ones but they are all great.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I'm pleased you liked the river ones, I took several to get some which worked.

[debriswoman]

Never visited but am now tempted…some lovely architecture:-)

[smallhobbit]

Definitely worth seeing. (And let me know if you do!)

[scfrankles]

Embarrassingly, I hadn't known Chepstow was in Wales - I thought it was an English town. I'm more familiar with North Wales of course but, you know. Embarrassing ^^" (^_______^)

It's got some gorgeous buildings. And I love your photos. Particularly the first two - the way you've caught the sunlight reflecting off the water and the bank.

[smallhobbit]

It's less Welsh than further into the country, but yes, definitely Wales :)

It was a challenge taking those photos - the sunlight kept taking over the whole picture. I'm pleased you like them.

[rusty_armour]

You took some great photos! It's nice to see more of Chepstow. I only really saw the castle, so I'm happy to see more of the town through your photos and historical commentary. Chepstow has some beautiful and interesting architecture.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. There's quite a bit to see within the town, although the castle is also well worth the visit.

[kizzia]

Some of my Gran's family live just outside Chepstow and farm there (they used to have grazing on the banks of the Wye for cattle but they sold the herd years ago) so it's lovely to see the photos. It's been far too long since I visited them (thanks pandemic) but next time I'm going I'll let you know and maybe we can meet up for tea somewhere!

[smallhobbit]

I'm delighted you liked the photos. It would be awesome to meet for tea!