Said to be one of Wales' best kept secrets, the castle at Caldicot sits on an ancient, attractive and strategically important site. Restored to much of its original outstanding condition, it is an attractive and interesting place to visit.
The castle contains all the elements of the typical medieval fortress, and has been lovingly cared for by its present owners, who have opened it to the public. Founded by the Normans, developed in royal hands as a stronghold in the Middle Ages and restored as a Victorian family home, this castle has a romantic and colourful history.
It was originally built on a site that had long been recognized for its strategic value. In fact the Romans already actively made use of the area in the early centuries AD, when Caldicot stood on the Via Julia roadway to Caerwent, the Roman town of Venta Silurum (ruins visible) just to the north. Caldicot's placement near the Bristol Channel allowed observation of the comings and goings of ship traffic and eased transport of supplies to the site. Its useful location was recognized by the Normans as early as 1086, and they built a motte with two baileys and a deep surrounding ditch to control this portion of south Wales.
It is a surprisingly pleasant find in the Welsh countryside, so close to the modernized, industrial sector of Wales, yet so isolated from it. The castle is now owned and operated by the local authority, and is open to the public.
The great gatehouse is now home to popular medieval banquets, a lavish and appropriate setting for such whimsical entertainment. Indeed some of the official website makes it almost sound like Disneyland in my opinion, but there are indeed some aspects that also make it fun for those with children so don't let that put you off visiting when in the neighbourhood of Newport/Chepstow. For the full history, go here: http://www.castlewales.com/caldicot.html
If you want to stay over (within walking distance), try here:http://www.qype.co.uk/place/754362-The-Lychgate-Caldicot read more
