Typical of a number of coastal forts in the area, it's naturally well defended, with a steep cliff down to the mouth of the River Wye forming its main defence against enemy approach.
The deep ravine to the south further strengthens the site's defences while additional defences were constructed on the west and north-west sides.
The site's defences are remarkably wide, consisting of well preserved multiple ramparts, the inner rampart being the most massive. Ditches strengthened the site further.
Excavations in 1968 revealed three rectangular buildings behind the ramparts. When you visit, imagine the view from the ramparts 2000 years ago, looking down on the busy settlement of roundhouses, granaries and workshops.
Excavations over 30 years ago demonstrated that there was a settlement here in Romano-British times, as well as the Iron Age.
The fort was also a prisoner of war camp during the Second World War. It is currently maanaged by Cadw.
Directions: Go to Chepstow and take the Bulwark Road south off the A48. At the roundabout, fork left and turn left into Alpha Road. The fort stands at the end of the road.
your comments
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Bob from Codford
I lived in Chepstow from 1940 intil 1960 and attended the Boy's School for a short time. At lunch time we had to walk through the woods to Bulwark where the canteen was situated in an old prisoner of war camp. Our teachers also walked the same route in all weathers.
John Hayes, New South Wales, Australia
I remember the Warren well! I was born in Alpha Road in 1939 and lived there with my Brother Brian (Gabby) until joining the RAF in 1955. My Father, Jack Hayes (Alfred) was, at one time, employed on an early excavation of the Warren in a failed attempt to find archaeological data. As kids we played in the Warren big time even climbing down the cliff, crossing the railway line & catching bats in the cave. Wonderful years!
Avril Major (nee Went), Westbury, Wiltshire
I lived in Martens Road, Bulwark from approx 1950 until 1965. I believe that the old Prisoner of War camp was used as temporary housing until the council houses were built in Martens Road (my family lived in the POW camp!!). I well remember the Warren - how us children loved it. Also, if I remember rightly, there was a play park behind Martens Road/Strongbow Road. With the innocence of those days we were allowed to play out from dawn to dusk and no one worried about us!! Bliss.
Graham Page, Calgary, Canada
I was born in Thornwell Rd Bulwark in 1940. I remember the P.O.W. camp when the prisoners were still there. My father Fred Page was chauffeur to Mr John Watts who owned Red & White buses. Mr Watts employed some of the prisoners as gardeners - they had a pretty pleasant life compared to life on the Russian front!
Mike Selkirk from Edmonton, Canada
I was born in 1950 in Chepstow and moved to Bulwark when I was 9 months old. I lived on Burn Barn Road until 1976 then moved to Canada. I played in the Warren and the prisoner camp and I certainly didn't know a fort exsisted in that area. I am taking a trip home and will walk the old area. I am sure it will bring back lots of good memories.
Phil, Rhoose
I have not been to the Chepstow Bulwark, but have visited the Bulwark at Porthkerry near Barry. This too is a heritage site which exsisted 400 years before the Romans invaded. I checked with the National Musuem and they informed me that they only carried out a sample excavation in the 70s. Sadly very few organisations mention this bulwark, and even the people who do boot sales on this site are unaware of its past.
Moe from Chepstow
I used to bike down here because there was the 'big dipper' as we used to call it; a steep mud ditch that was perfect for running down on your bike. The rope swing still existed when I was down the warren - about 1995/96.
Keith from Bulwark
I was born in Alpha Road in 1950 and can remember the rope swing - we called the area the Warren. Another play area was the old POW camp behind Alpha Road.
Elaine Meredith, Bryn, Abergavenny
As a child my sister lived in Bulwark - she lived in a cottage that was taken down for the old Severn Bridge approach road. I do remember the prisoners of war camp and the prisoners being allowed to work on farms around the Bulwark area. The prisoners used to make lovely raffia sandals - we call them espadrilles now. I remember there was a big water tank on the site and the prisoners did lovely paintings all around the sides of mountains and blue skies.
Carol Adkinson (nee Ward) now in Suffolk,
My maternal grandparents lived in Alpha Road and, when I was little, I played on the site of what is now the fort! I didn't know then how important the site was when I played there - just how much fun the trees were to climb, and the rope swings were to play on! Does anyone else remember those days - it would have been from about 1950, as I was born in 1945.
Have you visited this ancient site? Share your views.
