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A good friend recently moved away from Cardiff and headed to Chepstow, I was yet to see her new home and the area due to my injury, but the time came last week. Driving into the city I saw the amazement of the old style stone walls the cute little park with the pagoda and much more. We looked around the cute cottage had lunch and then it was time to get out and explore.
Just situated by their cottage was the drill hall, a plaque on the wall showing a blast from the past. As we carried on our walk, we headed past through the church a rustic gothic building. Next to it a lane draped over with trees creating a great shade from the basking sun. Soon we came up to the high street a long uphill pebbled road with a range of shops. A few that caught my fancy were the antique stores, with their old fashion furniture and range of trinkets. One store that we stepped in even had a huge copy of Charles dickens a tale of two cites; it was a bit worn and I love the look of old books but being £28 seemed a bit too expensive. One shop that looked beautiful was the vintage tea shop, assorted tea pots and bunting in the window. Unfortunately because it was a bank holiday the shop was closed, which gives a good excuse to take a visit again.
After we had looked in the shops we stopped and had a cuppa, seeing as the vintage tea shop was closed we settled for coffee 1. Just in that small space there were several coffee shops, all with outdoor seating areas, allowing you to relax and watch the world go by. After refueling we headed upwards and onwards, heading to the outside wall. It was if a castle wall had being placed and just in-between two buildings creating an oldie atmosphere. Scattered along the street were plenty of trees with beautiful blossoms a sign that summer was coming.
We then turned the corner and there in all its glory was the castle, mounted on top of the hill. As we walked down the slope closer towards it you could truly see the full size of the well-structured ruins. The path goes along the length of the castle, with the grass along the sides scattered with lot of beautiful flowers and wildlife. Such as the hidden gem of a butterfly I managed to capture among the buttercups basking in the sunshine. Although we did not go into the castle, it will be sure to return and explore further on another beautiful day.
Situated by the castle is tourist information with it full of the amazement that I was yet to see in the surrounding areas, as well as many festival events coming to Chepstow. Just next door was the museum, although we did not go in outside were cut outs of Victorian dress and defiantly had get in with picture perfect moment. Behind the museum there is a park with an outstanding view of the river and the bridge. We sat and relaxed on one of the many benches along the riverside taking in the spring sunshine before slowly heading back.
Overall Chepstow is a delightful place to visit situated just along the river wye and not far from other great attractions such a Monmouth and the forest of dean. It may normally be an area famous for its racecourse and the nearby titern abbey but as I have found out there is much more on offer. I will be sure to return to take a further look into the castle, museum and much more that is on offer.