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Chepstow Town Gate

The original Town Gate was built at the same time as the Portwall during the lordship of Roger Bigod. It was rebuilt during the medieval period and the existing gate dates largely from the early 16th century. Tolls were once collected on all cattle and goods that passed through for sale. These were paid to the Lord. In 1524 Charles Somerset, First Earl of Worcester, restored the Gate. Following extensive restoration by the Town Council in 1986 his armorial bearings were cast by Keith Underwood, the well known local artist, and hung on the landward face of the building. The Duke of Beaufort unveiled this heraldic achievement of his ancestor in April, 1988.

The room above the Town Gate has had many and varied uses - prison, guard room, quarters for the local constable, tailors' workroom, museum, to name a few. Following the recent restoration, this room was named the Margaret Cleyton room in memory of the lady who had the adjacent Gatehouse rebuilt in 1609.

The Town Gate was entrusted to the custody of Chepstow Urban District Council in 1899 as a bequest from the late Duke of Beaufort and the Gatehouse was presented to the town in 1919. The building now houses the Town Council who provide accommodation for the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

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Some of the information about Chepstow is extracted from the Town Guide.
All photographs copyright ©1997-2003 Russell Higgins with the exception of the following:
Chepstow Parish Church, satellite view, aerial view of Severn Bridge, aerial view of Chepstow, historic photographs and photograph of Brunel's Bridge)