Campsites near Chepstow
At a nexus of major hiking routes, woodsy Chepstow baits campers with forests and riversides.
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Campsites near Chepstow guide
Overview
As soon as you get off the bridges crossing the River Severn from England into Wales, there is historic Chepstow, with Wales’ oldest stone castle crowning the town and some standout hiking kicking off right in the centre. It’s the start (or finish) point for long-distance routes the Wales Coast Path, the world’s first trail to cover the entirety of a country’s coastline, the Offa’s Dyke Path and the Wye Valley Way. Several dependable campsites are dotted along the wooded sides of the Wye Valley north of town, including quiet sites Fairoak Lakes, five miles outside Chepstow, and Chase Farm.
Where to go
Forest of Dean
An obvious choice for heading out into nature near Chepstow is this ancient royal hunting ground, spread-eagled 15-odd miles to the northeast. This exquisite forest, containing many old-growth trees, stretches over 200 square miles, and is a firm family camping favourite for its well-marked walking and cycling trails fanning out into splendid woodsy scenery. Begin your camping adventure with camping, caravanning, or glamping hidden in winsome tree-dotted surroundings.
Wye Valley AONB
Back in the 18th century, the Wye Valley was the birthplace of modern UK tourism, when people flocked to the picturesque landscapes described in William Gilpin’s book Observations on the River Wye. This steep-sided woodsy AONB straddling the Wales-England border immediately north of Chepstow remains mighty popular. A wide mix of big full-facility camping complexes and small farm campsites is bolstered by top-drawer hiking, with the long-distance Wye Valley Way running through, and Wales’ best-known kayaking zone on the River Wye itself.
River Severn
Much overlooked as an outdoor playground near Chepstow is the River Severn south of town. Despite the big trunk roads and rail lines whooshing nearby, the countryside along the Severn’s banks is surprisingly serene and seems to possess its own microclimate, schizophrenically switching between blazing sunshine and brewing storms. Wide-open views along the Welsh and Southwest English coastlines are also gorgeous.
When to go
April to October are the typical months campers pitch up here. This is a great destination even when the sun doesn’t shine, because of all the tree coverage providing shelter for campers, hikers and bikers. It does get busy, though: try to come outside of the July and August school holidays. Regional festivities include July’s Chepstow Festival of the Arts and Coleford Music Festival.
