7 Adorable Independent Chepstow Shops & Businesses

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Come with me on a festive trip to the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, supporting independent Chepstow shops and small businesses in the run-up to Christmas, in partnership with Visit Monmouthshire.

Located in the south Wales county of Monmouthshire, where the River Wye joins the Severn, the historic town of Chepstow lies at the gateway to Wales and the Wye Valley.

Chepstow is perhaps best known for being home to the oldest stone castle in Britain. Originally founded in 1067, the remarkably well-preserved Chepstow Castle was one of the first Norman strongholds to be built in Wales.

In fact, Chepstow’s postcard-perfect landscapes make it a popular destination for walking, as an accredited Walkers Are Welcome town. Walkers can enjoy the Wales Coast Path, which starts and finishes at the riverfront. If combined with the Offa Dyke Path, this will enable you to walk the whole border and coast of Wales. Contact Chepstow TIC (mentioned below), or visit the website, for more information on Chepstow’s other walking routes.

As fascinating as Chepstow’s history and landscapes are, however, my visit was actually in the name of supporting independent Chepstow shops and businesses over the festive period, working with Visit Monmouthshire to promote Monmouthshire’s Shop Local campaign.

Chepstow shopping centre and town

With the word ‘Chepstow’ derived from the old English ‘chepe stowe’, meaning a market place, it seems only natural that Chepstow’s old, cobbled streets are dotted with small, independent businesses.

The best independent Chepstow shops

While the pandemic has been challenging for Chepstow’s small business owners, the town centre is still home to lots of thriving independent Chepstow shops and businesses – all of whom really need our support in the run-up to Christmas.

Here are just a few independent Chepstow shops worth visiting for your Christmas shopping this year, including a recommendation on where to head for a spot of lunch afterwards.

However, this is by no means an exhaustive list; there are many more independent Chepstow shops and businesses worth visiting over the festive season, and if you’re planning a shopping trip to Chepstow, I encourage you to set aside at least a couple of hours to explore the full range.

Chepstow Museum

Now, I know I said I wasn’t visiting Chepstow for its history on this particular visit, but I couldn’t possibly resist a trip to Chepstow Museum, run by MonLife.

Located on Bridge Street in a grand, late 18th Century townhouse named Gwy House, this was once a First World War Red Cross Hospital and later the Chepstow District Hospital, as well as being used as a girls’ high school in 1907.

Not only does Chepstow Museum house an impressive collection of historical artefacts, but it also has a gift shop selling a range of locally and independently sourced produce.

I was excited to spot the Flavours of Wales Welshcake Cookbook, by Gilli Davies and Huw Jones, along with this vintage game of Tiddly Winks. I also picked up a couple of mugs for my mum and her partner as Christmas gifts, although I won’t share a photo of them here until after Christmas, as I know my Mum will be reading this blog post and I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

Chepstow Museum is open daily from 11am until 4pm, except for Wednesdays, when it is closed. Entrance is free of charge and there is no need to book in advance of your visit, although the museum may need to limit numbers during busier periods.

Chepstow Tourist Information Centre (TIC)

Based directly opposite both Chepstow Castle and Chepstow Museum on Bridge Street, Chepstow Tourist Information Centre (TIC) is ideally situated for visiting these two local popular attractions.

While this isn’t a shop in the traditional sense of the word, once you step inside and see the variety of locally and independently made produce available to buy here, you’ll want to buy almost everything in sight!

From hand-painted Welsh mugs by Moorland Pottery, to foodie treats from the likes of Parva Spices, The Preservation Society and Wye Valley Meadery, artwork created by local artists, and more, the range of produce available to buy at Chepstow TIC really is impressive.

I was particularly excited to spot some of Silver Circle Distillery’s products on sale at Chepstow TIC. Based in nearby Catbrook, Monmouthshire, this independent Welsh distillery was set up by Nina and Joe Howden in 2019 and produces handmade craft spirits using local ingredients, including the iconic Wye Valley Gin.

Building upon the success of its Black Garlic Vodka, for Christmas this year, Silver Circle Distillery has released The Ultimate Bloody Mary Kit (RRP £36), featuring a 50cl bottle of Black Garlic Vodka, a 150ml bottle of 11am Bloody Mary Sauce (made by Parva Spices), and recipe cards by Welsh Masterchef alumni and food blogger, Imran Nathoo. If you love a hearty Bloody Mary as much as I do, this could be just the thing to spice up your Christmas Day or Boxing Day brunch!

I let out a squeal of excitement when I spotted The Ultimate Bloody Mary Kit on display in Chepstow TIC, having recently fallen in love with the kit I was sent to try out myself at home. If you can’t make it to Chepstow TIC before Christmas, however, you can also order your kit direct from Silver Circle Distillery.

After browsing Chepstow TIC’s gift shop, I tucked into a sugary mince pie washed down with a steaming hot, milky latte in their cafe, while admiring the view of the rolling green Monmouthshire countryside painted onto the wall facing me.

Château Bonbon

Tucked away in St. Mary’s Arcade on St. Mary’s Street, Château Bonbon is a charming little chocolate and sweet shop, founded just over four years ago by a lady named Wendy Taylor.

In an attempt to offer something a little different to the sweet shops of today, Wendy offers traditional options like pick n’ mix, sweetie jars and homemade fudge. She also sells a number of handmade bespoke goods – the kind of thing that cannot be sourced from bigger shops or supermarkets.

If you’re looking to stock up on chocolate for Christmas, you’ve come to the right place. Forget the usual advent calendars and selection boxes, and go for something a little different this year.

From chocolate sleighs, wreaths and Christmas trees, to reindeer droppings and crackers filled with pet treats, Wendy really has got something for everyone this festive season.

Besides festive chocolate, Château Bonbon is also a highly recommended celebrations specialist, producing alternative birthday ‘cakes’ made using sweets, and table favours for weddings.

Silk Road Bazaar

Perched next door to Château Bonbon in St. Mary’s Arcade, Silk Road Bazaar is a unique handmade jewellery and accessories shop, run by Jenny Skelton and her mother, Maria, both originally from Hong Kong (hence ‘Bazaar’).

The shop has been in its current home since 2014, although it was originally founded elsewhere in Chepstow.

This is a great place to go if you love your gemstone jewellery, or if you’re looking to treat someone to some new bling this Christmas. Besides the stunning range of jewellery on display around the shop, Jenny also specialises in bespoke jewellery, handmade to order, in addition to offering a jewellery repair service.

For Christmas, alongside her semi-precious jewellery range, Jenny is stocking a range of cosy hats and scarves, handmade by her mother, as well as knitting and crochet kits for anyone who might like to have a go at making their own. She also sells a selection of formal evening bags and accessories, ideal for the festive season.

Tell Me Wine

Run by two French wine lovers, husband-and-wife Chris and Fabien Voisin, Tell Me Wine is an independent wine merchant selling wines from all over the world, with an extensive variety of French wines.

Located on Rifleman’s Way, next to The Cwtch Cafe (mentioned below), Tell Me Wine also stocks a range of beers, meads, spirits, in addition to refillable wine bottles, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, honey, coffee and cigars.

A popular shop within the local community, Tell Me Wine host wine and tapas tastings, and serve wine by the glass on the tiny terrace outside their shop.

For Christmas, you could ask Chris or Fabien to help you choose the perfect bottle of wine to gift in a wooden presentation box, or perhaps opt for a gift voucher, a hamper, a monthly wine box subscription, or a tasting experience instead.

Tell Me Wine offer free delivery on all orders over £25 within a five mile radius of Chepstow.

The Hydroponics Shop

Located at Library Place on Manor Way, The Hydroponics Shop is run by Chris Hallas. Currently in a period of test trading after opening earlier this year, this independent Chepstow shop specialises in hydroponic systems to enable all-year crop production and enhanced-yield growing.

In plain English, hydroponics is the process of growing plants without relying on soil to provide nutrition, and relying upon a nutrient solution instead. While there are a number of different techniques and potting media that can be used , generally, they’re all aimed at achieving faster plant growth and higher fruit and veg yields.

This may not be the first shop that springs to mind when you think about doing your Christmas shopping.

However, The Hydroponic Shop’s home propagator starter kits could make for a truly unique Christmas present for an enthusiastic child who might like to learn how to grow their own seeds at home, or perhaps for a budding gardener or home cook like me, who may like to grow their own fresh herbs and veg during the colder months.

If you prefer, you could also treat someone you love to a hydroponics course, as Chris runs a range of adult and child classes to teach people all they need to know to get growing their own plants at home.

Chris has kindly given me a kit of my own to experiment with at home, so I’m very much looking forward to testing it out and expanding my windowsill kitchen garden in the New Year!

Chepstow restaurants and cafes

The Cwtch Cafe

Just a stone’s throw away from Tell Me Wine at the Old Bell Chambers on Rifleman’s Way, The Cwtch Cafe is a cosy little cabin serving sandwiches, toasties, salads, locally made quiches, cakes, smoothies, bubble teas, hot drinks and more.

The cafe is run by Marion Smith, who also employs staff via the Kickstart scheme, which provides funding for employers to create jobs for young people aged 16-24 on Universal Credit.

I’m told that Marion is a great ambassador for Chepstow, and very connected with her customers, even taking the time to check up on her regulars if they don’t show up for a few days.

Lunch at The Cwtch Cafe was the perfect pick-me-up after a morning of shopping in Chepstow. I ordered a chicken, Brie and cranberry toastie (normally served with bacon, but I couldn’t resist the lure of the freshly cooked rotisserie chicken!)

The toastie was simple yet satiating comfort food for a cold day, with the Brie and cranberry sauce adding a festive flair. The side salad was particularly jaw-dropping. This wasn’t just a few limp lettuce leaves carelessly thrown onto the side of the plate; I’m talking mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes, avocado, orzo, sausage roll, potato salad, and a mini Scotch egg – the full works!

The Cwtch Cafe is a great option for a post-shopping lunch or some tea and cake with a friend. While it’s too cold to dine outside by choice at the moment, the al fresco dining space must be a pleasant little sun trap during the summer months.

So, there you have it – my pick of some of the best independent Chepstow shops and businesses to visit this Christmas! However, there are many more independent shops, cafes and restaurants in Chepstow who I didn’t get time to say hello to on my visit, who are all in need of our support this Christmas.

Why not set aside a few hours to visit Chepstow over the festive season, and see for yourself just how many independent shops, cafes and restaurants you can find here? Check out the Visit Monmouthshire website for more information on visiting Chepstow..

Have you ever been to Chepstow before? What are your favourite independent Chepstow shops? I’d love to hear about them – leave me a comment by typing a message in the box below; I love reading reader comments and I always take the time to respond to each one individually.

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