Chepstow Castle is a Norman fortress stretching along a limestone cliff above the River Wye, in Chepstow, Monmouthshire. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
The easiest way to get there is on a day tour from Cardiff that also includes Tintern Abbey, Caldicot Castle, Caerphilly Castle and Roman Caerleon.
This guide was last updated in September 2026. Current admission, valid from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, costs £10.40 for an adult.
Booking online saves a further 5%.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9.30am–5pm (1 September–31 October 2026); last admission 30 minutes before closing |
| Ticket price | Adult £10.40; under 5s free; Cadw members free |
| Address | Bridge St, Chepstow NP16 5EY |
| Nearest transport | Chepstow railway station, about 1km/0.6 miles away |
| Typical time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Chepstow Castle opening hours
The castle is open daily, with hours changing through the year. From 1 September to 31 October 2026, it is open 9.30am to 5pm, with last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Hours extend to 9.30am–6pm in July and August, and shorten to 10am–4pm from November to February. The castle closes only on 24, 25, and 26 December, and on 1 January.
Weather and staffing can occasionally affect access to certain towers or wall walks. Checking the Cadw website on the morning of a visit is a sensible precaution.
Chepstow Castle ticket prices
From 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, standard adult admission costs £10.40. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £33.30, or £22.90 for one adult and up to three children.
Seniors aged 65 and over pay £9.30, and juniors aged 5 to 17 or students with photo ID pay £7.20. Disabled visitors and one companion enter free, as do Cadw members and children under 5.
Ticket prices were checked against the official Cadw website, last updated in 2026. Booking online saves an extra 5% on the ticket price, and visitors on Universal Credit or other named benefits can buy a £1 ticket.
Chepstow Castle is covered by Cadw’s Explorer Pass, which gives access to sites across Wales for 3 or 7 consecutive days. It is not part of English Heritage or National Trust membership schemes, since it is managed separately by the Welsh Government.
Blue Light Card holders and serving or veteran members of HM Armed Forces receive 10% off individual admission, though this discount is not available when booking online. School groups can also arrange a free, self-led educational visit through Cadw’s dedicated bookings page.
How to get to Chepstow Castle
Chepstow railway station is about 1km, or a 0.6-mile walk, from the castle, on the Cardiff to Gloucester and Birmingham line. By road, the castle is reached via the M4, A466, or M48 from Cardiff, or the M4 and M48 from London.
Cyclists can reach the castle via National Cycle Network Route 42, which runs through Chepstow. Traveline Cymru can help plan bus journeys to the town centre.
Alternatively, hop on the three castles, Tintern Abbey and Roman Caerleon day tour from Cardiff.
Why book the 3 Castles, Tintern Abbey & Roman Caerleon Tour from Cardiff?
- 🏰 Three Historic Welsh Castles: Tour three distinct fortifications in a single day—Chepstow Castle perched over the River Wye, medieval Caldicot Castle, and monumental Caerphilly Castle with its iconic leaning tower.
- ⛪ Enchanting Tintern Abbey: Walk among the magnificent roofless ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey set against the lush green backdrop of the scenic Wye Valley.
- 🛡️ Ancient Roman Caerleon: Step back nearly 2,000 years to explore Britain’s best-preserved Roman amphitheater, fortress walls, and ancient bathhouses at Isca Augusta.
- 🎟️ All Admission Tickets Included: Save time and skip extra expenses with entry fees to every historic attraction fully covered in your booking.
- 🚐 Intimate Small-Group Experience: Travel comfortably in a small group (capped at just 7 passengers) in a luxury transport vehicle led by a knowledgeable local driver-guide.
Parking at Chepstow Castle
A pay-and-display car park stands 100 yards below the castle entrance, with four accessible spaces and dedicated coach parking. Current parking charges are set by Monmouthshire County Council, so check their website before arriving.
Bike storage is also available in or near the car park. Given the steep approach on foot, drivers should allow a few extra minutes to reach the castle entrance, and be mindful of moving vehicles near the entrance.
How long to spend at Chepstow Castle
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the castle’s towers, baileys, and gatehouses. History enthusiasts keen to read every information panel may want to allow closer to three hours.
An audio guide, available to buy on arrival, adds useful context and can extend a visit by 30 to 45 minutes. Combining a visit with nearby Chepstow Port Wall or the town centre can easily fill a half day.
Accessibility at Chepstow Castle
Cadw rates the terrain at Chepstow as Level 3, or moderate difficulty, with a steep slope on the main approach path and several flights of uneven historic steps. A portable induction loop is available, and disabled visitors and a companion receive free admission.
Mobility scooters may struggle with the site’s gravel paths and cobbles, so checking suitability in advance is recommended. Dogs on short leads are welcome on the ground floor levels of the site.
Visitors with specific access questions can contact the castle team by phone or email before travelling. A dedicated access guide, published on the Cadw website, sets out step-by-step detail for planning a visit.
Inside Chepstow Castle
Building began in 1067 under Earl William fitz Osbern, a close friend of William the Conqueror, making Chepstow one of the earliest Norman strongholds in Wales. Its Great Tower is considered the oldest surviving secular stone building in Britain.
Successive owners, including William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, expanded the castle over the following centuries. Charles Somerset, Earl of Worcester, later added Tudor-era apartments before the castle’s slow decline after the Civil War.
The castle stretches in a long, narrow line along a limestone cliff above the River Wye, with four main sections divided by gatehouses and towers. Marten’s Tower, added by Roger Bigod, offers sweeping views over the river from its upper floors.
The West Gatehouse, dating from the Norman period, remains one of the castle’s oldest surviving features. The middle bailey and Tudor apartments show how the castle evolved from a defensive fortress into a more comfortable residence.
These powerful medieval and Tudor owners rarely lived at Chepstow full-time, treating it as one property among many in their wider estates. It served instead as an impressive shell for storing gold, silver, and fine furnishings during their visits.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest experience, especially outside school holidays. |
| Crowds | Weekends during events, such as the September Medieval Mayhem, draw the largest crowds. |
| Layout | Start at the West Gatehouse and work through the baileys towards Marten’s Tower for the best views. |
| Entry process | Buy tickets on arrival or book online in advance to save 5%. |
| On-site logistics | Wear sturdy shoes, since the historic steps are uneven and can be slippery when wet. |
Frequently asked questions about Chepstow Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Chepstow Castle free to visit? | No, standard adult admission costs £10.40, though several groups qualify for free entry. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Chepstow Castle? | No, though booking online saves 5% on the ticket price. |
| Is Chepstow Castle open every day? | Yes, except 24, 25, and 26 December and 1 January. |
| Are dogs allowed at Chepstow Castle? | Yes, on short leads, on the ground floor levels of the site. |
| Is Chepstow Castle suitable for children? | Yes, with family tickets available and events held throughout the year. |
Things to do near Chepstow Castle
- Chepstow Port Wall: extensive remains of the town’s medieval walls, about 0.3 miles from the castle.
- Bulwarks Prehistoric Enclosure: the hidden remains of an Iron Age fort, under a mile from the castle.
- Tintern Abbey: a roofless Cistercian abbey beside the River Wye, about a 12-minute drive north.
- Chepstow Racecourse: a National Hunt racing venue hosting regular meetings throughout the year.
- Wye Valley Walk: a long-distance footpath following the river through wooded gorge scenery.
Alternative attractions
- Raglan Castle: a late-medieval castle with a moated Great Tower, about a 25-minute drive away.
- Goodrich Castle: a red sandstone ruin across the border in England, around a 25-minute drive away.
- Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths: a legionary fortress and amphitheatre, about a 25-minute drive away.
- White Castle: one of the best-preserved of the Three Castles, roughly a 40-minute drive away.
- Caerphilly Castle: the largest castle in Wales, with concentric walls and a leaning tower, around a 40-minute drive away.
More Wales travel
Other Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A Cardiff city guide for first-time visitors.
- A practical guide to visiting the National Museum Cardiff in the Welsh capital.
- Cardiff Castle: what first-time visitors should expect.
- What to expect when visiting the Upside Down House in Cardiff.
- Key information for visiting Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff.
