Families · Chepstow · Wye Valley
A family-friendly 4-day itinerary for Chepstow and the Wye Valley
Four days of history, animals, forest adventures and the natural beauty of the Wye Valley, with activities that suit young children. Doing it all would make a very hectic trip, but we hope it gives you some interesting ideas. For more, see our things to do in Chepstow, guided days out and Wye Valley walks.
Day 1: Chepstow Castle and the town
Morning
- Start at Chepstow Castle, one of Britain's oldest stone castles, with impressive Norman architecture and spectacular views over the River Wye.
- Children enjoy the towers, walkways and exhibition areas, and there is plenty of space to explore.
Afternoon
- Have lunch in Chepstow at one of the family-friendly cafés.
- Explore the compact, walkable town centre, with its interesting shops and the Town Gate.
- Visit Chepstow Museum, which has child-friendly exhibits about the area’s history.
Day 2: Raglan and Usk
Morning
- Visit Raglan Farm Park, where children can feed and meet farm animals, with indoor and outdoor play areas including jumping pillows, pedal tractors and adventure playgrounds.
Afternoon
- Lunch at The Beaufort Arms in Raglan village, which has a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Visit Raglan Castle, an impressive late medieval castle with a great tower, a moat and extensive grounds to explore.
Or take a trip to the charming town of Usk, with its pretty riverside setting, castle ruins, rural life museum, and lovely independent shops and cafés.
Day 3: Forest of Dean adventures
Morning
- Begin at Puzzlewood, a magical ancient woodland with mossy rocks, twisted paths and enchanting scenery. Children love exploring this natural maze.
Afternoon
- Lunch at one of the Forest cafés or picnic areas.
- Visit Perrygrove Railway & Treetop Adventure, with a narrow-gauge railway, treetop walkways, an indoor village and treasure hunts.
Or head to Beechenhurst visitor centre to walk the family-friendly Sculpture Trail or the Gruffalo Trail.
Day 4: The Wye Valley and Tintern Abbey
Morning
- Visit Tintern Abbey, spectacular Gothic ruins set in the Wye Valley, impressive for all ages. Children are often captivated by the scale of the architecture.
- Take a gentle walk along the designated path from the Abbey to see it from different angles.
Afternoon
- Lunch at one of the cafés near the Abbey, or pack a picnic to enjoy by the river.
- Explore more of the Wye Valley with a family-friendly walk along the riverside path.
- Visit the Old Station Tintern, a converted Victorian railway station with a play area, miniature golf and circular walks suitable for young children.
A family base in Chepstow
Vauxhall Cottage is a detached 1790s cottage a short walk from Chepstow town centre, castle and riverbank. It sleeps 7, with a big kitchen table at its heart, a stairgate, travel cot and highchair for little ones, and a cupboard under the stairs full of board games. See where everyone sleeps.
Planning a family trip: your questions
- What is there to do near Chepstow with young children?
- Chepstow Castle and the town museum are in Chepstow itself, Raglan Farm Park and Raglan Castle are a short drive away, and the Forest of Dean has Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Railway & Treetop Adventure and the Gruffalo Trail. Tintern Abbey and the Old Station Tintern are up the Wye Valley.
- Is Vauxhall Cottage suitable for families?
- Yes. It sleeps 7 in 4 bedrooms, with a big kitchen table, a lounge with a cupboard of board games, a stairgate, a travel cot and a highchair, and a fenced private garden. It is also dog-friendly.
- Can we do all of this in one trip?
- It would make a hectic trip, so treat the itinerary as a menu of ideas and pick what suits your family, whether that is a weekend away or a longer stay.
Plan your family break
Book direct for our best price, with just a £100 deposit to secure your dates. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.
