Caerwent is a small village and community in Monmouthshire, South Wales. It is located about five miles west of Chepstow and eleven miles east of Newport, and was founded by the Romans as the market town of Venta Silurum, an important settlement of the Brythonic Silures tribe. Caerwent has a pub, a Post Office/village store and a laundrette. As the village used to be a Roman settlement there are large sections of the Roman town walls still in place, some rising even as high as 5 metres, and there are also ruins of several Roman houses and a temple. The small town of Caldicot is home to Caldicot Castle where a variety of festivals and concerts, hosting international bands are held throughout the year, and other nearby venues and historical points of interest include Chepstow Castle and Caerleon Roman Ruins. A short drive up the Wye Valley will take you to Tintern Abbey, evidence of the fury of Henry VIII’s Reformation, as well as an iconic subject of the poets and artists of the Romantic Movement. The Forest of Dean, extending up on either side of the Wye Valley, is wonderful for cycling or walking, hosts “Go Ape” for the kids and the river itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as well as a great resource for canoeing, fishing or (in parts) wild swimming. There are the gardens and grottoes at Dewstow where many hidden treasures are waiting to be discovered, with seasonal fun days to entertain children, such as Easter Egg Hunts and Santa’s grotto experience. For horse lovers, there is Chepstow Race Course, offering a full calendar of activities as well as the Welsh National. The nearby David Broome Event Centre, offers exciting weekly competitions throughout the year and an annual 3-day cross country event in the neighbouring Caldicot Castle grounds.
