CHEPSTOW'S historic castle on the banks of the River Wye is just one of the walled town's many tourist attractions.

Built in 1067 it is the earliest stone castle in Britain. It commands the main crossing point on the Wye and played an important role in Wales' defences. With a reasonable admission fee of £3 (£2 concessions) and its own museum filled with life-like reconstructions and useful information plaques, Chepstow Castle is not to be missed. Exploring the castle should take a couple of hours, leaving plenty of time to visit the local museum.

Between June 1 and September 1 the museum is hosting an exhibition commemorating the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

It looks at how past royal events were celebrated in Chepstow and has a range of displays including costumes worn by Cate Blanchett in the film Elizabeth. The museum is open seven days a week and admission is £1 for adults, with children going free.

With Chepstow's numerous pubs and restaurants you will be spoilt for choice. Alternatively take your own and enjoy a picnic at the Riverside Gardens, which overlook what used to be the town's medieval dry dock.

Continuing around the corner from the riverbank will bring you to St Mary's Church, with its exquisite Norman west doorway and famous painted tombs. A short walk brings you to St Mary's Street and an array of pottery and souvenir shops to keep you busy.

If shopping is not your thing there's always the leisure centre, the Stuart Crystal Factory or the Wye Valley Walk, beginning at the foot of the castle.

For further details contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01291 623772. Felicity Barclay & Kate Phillips

Future events... There is plenty of entertainment to look forward to in the next week, with the Festival Family Fun Day taking place on the Riverbank and the Chepstow Garrison re-enactment in Chepstow Castle - both on July 28. The lunchtime concerts in St Mary's Church continue over the summer, on Wednesdays at 12.45pm, with a cello and piano duet by Antoinette Metcalf and John Metcalf on July 31.