Points of interest


Bridges The Wales Coast Path offers spectacular views of the Severn Bridge (opened in 1966) and the Second Severn Crossing (opened in 1996), iconic landmarks linking Wales and England.


Black Rock A popular picnic site next to a long-gone railway line that used to take passengers out on a wooden pier, to where ferries crossed the estuary to Bristol. It’s the place to spot the lave net fishermen who are passionate about keeping alive one of Wales’ less well-known traditions. They wade out into the fast flowing Severn to catch salmon using handmade willow lave nets. blackrocklavenets.co.uk


Chepstow Castle You can’t really miss it, nor should you. Begun in 1067, it’s the first stone-built castle in Britain and boasts the oldest surviving castle doors in Europe! Scene of some spectacular re-enactment events. cadw.wales.gov.uk


Lighthouses East Usk Lighthouse, as its name suggests, is located on the eastern side of the entrance to the River Usk. It’s an active lighthouse about a ¾ mile walk from the main building at Newport Wetlands. On the other hand, West Usk Lighthouse is a quirky B&B. westusklighthouse.co.uk


Geocaches There are plenty dotted along the path or within half a mile of it. geocaching.com


Gwent Levels The name for the low-lying land adjoining the Severn Estuary between Chepstow and Newport which has been reclaimed from the sea since Roman times. Evidence suggests that this area was the site of one of the UK’s worst natural disasters, when a tsunami hit on 20 January 1607.


Left to right:


East Usk Lighthouse / Chepstow Castle (top) / Newport Transporter Bridge / Blackrock Lave Net Fishermen


Mathern The local 7th century king Tewdrig died here after being wounded at Tintern in a battle against the invading Saxons around the year 630. His wounds were washed at a spring, known as St. Tewdric’s Well, a church was erected here by his son Meurig and Mathern Palace became the official home of the Bishops of Llandaff until the early 18th century.


Newport Wetlands A haven for wildlife on the edge of the city of Newport. It has a delightful children’s play area, offers a programme of events throughout the year and has a well-stocked gift shop and café serving fair trade produce. rspb.org.uk


Severn Bore One of Britain’s few truly spectacular natural phenomena, this large surge wave occurs in the estuary of the River Severn. It can’t be seen directly from the Coast Path but it’s worth making a trip to a viewing point if you’re in the area when the bore is predicted. severn-bore.co.uk


Severn Estuary Has the second highest tidal range in the world, as great as 50 ft.


St Pierre, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club Perfectly placed for a break during your walk on the Wales Coast Path; set in 400 acres of beautiful parkland with 2 golf courses that have hosted 14 European Championships, this 14th century manor house offers lunch and afternoon tea. marriottstpierre.co.uk


Sudbrook This village was built in the 1870s to house workers who were constructing the Severn Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the UK. Its huge Victorian pumping station still works around the clock to pump water out of the Severn Tunnel. Most of the water comes from a fast-flowing underground spring which is diverted and fed to the nearby brewery. sudbrook.info


Transporter Bridge Built in 1906, this Grade 1 listed structure offers an unusual way of crossing the river Usk; passengers and vehicles are carried on a gondola suspended from a high structure which was built to allow tall ships to sail up to the main dock in Newport. It is one of only 8 surviving bridges of this type in the world and is still in daily operation. fontb.org.uk newport.gov.uk


Many more miles


The Chepstow area is the hub of several long, themed routes:


Cistercian Way 602 miles cistercian-way.newport.ac.uk


Offa’s Dyke 177 miles following the route of the 8th century earthwork built by King Offa nationaltrail.co.uk


Wye Valley Walk 136 miles to the source of the river. Guide available as a printed book or an e-book wyevalleywalk.org


King Arthur’s Trail 36 miles thecircleoflegends.co.uk


Tewdrig’s Trail 11 miles thecircleoflegends.co.uk


Also suitable for cyclists: Celtic Trail 220 miles to the west coast of Wales Lôn Las Cymru 250 miles to Anglesey sustrans.org.uk


Don’t Miss


Crickhowell Walking Festival February/March crickhowellfestival.com


Monmouthshire Walking Festival October


walkinginmonmouthshire.org


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