Chepstow
Chepstow is a town in Monmouthshire, Wales. It adjoins the border with Gloucestershire in England. It's located on the River Wye, about two miles (3.2 km) above its confluence with the River Severn, and adjoining the western end of the Severn Bridge. It's 16 miles (26 km) east of Newport, 18 miles (29 km) north-west of Bristol and 110 miles (180 km) west of London. According to the 2001 Census, the town has a permanent population of around 10821. Its accessibility to the cities of Bristol, Newport and Cardiff signifies it has a large number of commuters. Chepstow Castle, situated on a clifftop above the Wye and its bridge, is frequently cited as the oldest surviving stone castle in Britain. The castle was established by William Fitzosbern promptly after the Norman conquest, and was extended in later centuries before becoming ruined after the Civil War. A Benedictine priory was also established inside the walled town, which was the centre of the Marcher Lordship of Striguil. The port of Chepstow became noted in the Middle Ages for its imports of wine, and also became a significant centre for the export of timber and bark, from nearby woodland in the Wye valley and Forest of Dean. During the late 18th century the town was a focus of early tourism as part of the "Wye Tour", and the tourist business remains important. Other important industries included shipbuilding - one of the first World War National Shipyards was established in the town - and heavy engineering, such as the prefabrication of bridges and, now, wind turbine towers. Chepstow is also well known for its racecourse, which has hosted the Welsh National every single year since 1949. For all your home upgrades, ensure that you utilise trustworthy specialists in Chepstow to make sure you get the very best quality.