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Chepstow Milestone Plate Missing
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Just after Christmas 2001, the cast-iron plate on one of the remaining
"1 Mile to Chepstow" milestones went missing. The milestone is set into
the racecourse wall about a 100 yards above the Racecourse roundabout
(ST 52250 94756).
There were signs that it had been levered-off. Vandalism or theft? It's
not clear. Chepstow has lost a part of its heritage. The milestone had
served its useful purpose probably since the end of the 18th century.
If you know where it is, please contact The Milestone Society
More about Chepstow's milestones.
NOTE: Theft of milestones does goes on - check out this
news item
from the Western Daily Press dated 28 June 2004, or
this.
And that they do go missing,
check this. |
These relics of an era when Monmouthshire first had passable roads are now
very neglected. The following is my attempt to locate any remaining ones in the
area around Chepstow, Monmouthshire. Distances were measured from the Beaufort
Arms Hotel in Chepstow.
The 1886/1889/1891 Ordnance Survey maps gave the milestone locations using the
letters MS and gave the distances from towns. Some milestones appear to have
been moved subsequently as evidenced by their found location and/or their
position as marked on the modern OS Explorer maps. Some milestones appear to
have been lost, some have been defaced - probably when fear of invasion was as
its height in 1940. It is possible that some still lie buried, if that was the
chosen method of hiding the information from the potential invader. Certainly
they are deteriorating and are increasingly under threat as the road verges
vanish beneath the weight of traffic.
Set out below are the results so far of a survey of the
milestones around Chepstow. Where no photograph exists, I have yet to determine
that the milestone is still in place. If anyone is minded to use the
indicated location coordinates to check a milestone, please take care!
A48 Chepstow to Newport
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 1 |
352376 192842 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
351268 191780 |
351240
191779 |
351235 191789 |
On the left verge
approaching Chepstow, outside the Garden Centre. It appears to have once
had a plate attached. |
 |
 |
| 3 |
350401 190517 |
350375 190490
(Pathfinder) |
|
Parkwall |
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
Crick |
|
|
| 5 |
347280 190436 |
347255
190439 |
347265 190435 |
On the Chepstow side of the crossroads in Caerwent.
On the left verge approaching Chepstow. It appears to have once had a
plate attached. |
 |
 |
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
344157 191125 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
342667 191048 |
|
|
The Chepstow side of Penhow
Castle |
|
|
| 9 |
341039 191288 |
|
|
London 140 Chepstow 9
Newport 7,
At Cross Wen Inn |
|
|
| 10 |
339473 191034 |
|
|
London 141 Chepstow 10
Newport 6. |
|
|
| 11 |
338128 190327 |
338107 190316 |
|
London 142 Chepstow 11
Newport 5. At Langstone |
|
|
| 12 |
336710 189781 |
|
|
London 143 Chepstow 12
Newport 4
Hurran's Garden Centre |
|
|
| 13 |
335247 189159 |
335212 189111
MP |
|
London 144 Chepstow 13
Newport 3. |
|
|
| 14 |
333909 188291 |
|
|
London 145 Chepstow 14
Newport 2 |
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 1 |
352254 194762 |
352256 194758 |
352256 194758 |
Set into the racecourse wall about 100
yards above the Racecourse roundabout. Plate went missing just after
Christmas 2001 |
 |
 |
| 2 |
351939 196297 |
351949 196295 |
351949 196295 |
Set into the Chepstow Racecourse wall a few yards
from St Arvan's Garage. |
 |
 |
A466 St Arvans to Monmouth road via Tintern and Llandogo.
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 3 |
352834 197237 |
not on map |
352834 197237 |
The lower Wyndcliffe picnic spot can be
seen in the distance (towards Chepstow) |
 |
 |
| 4 |
353334 198337 |
353351 198330 |
353351 198330 |
On the left in the
photo, this milestone is on the
left approaching Tintern, just after the entrance to Livox Quarry. |
 |
 |
|
5 |
353449 199727 |
353456 199723 |
353456 199723 |
Fallen and
almost buried under leaves and ivy. On the right verge just after
leaving Tintern towards Chepstow. |
 |
 |
|
6 |
|
SO531007 |
SO531007 |
Against the the wall of the Wye Valley Hotel
in Tintern |
 |
 |
B4293 St Arvans to Monmouth road via
Devauden
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 3 |
351061 197546 |
not on map |
351061 197546 |
This milestone has for many years been covered with
vegetation. The inscription reads "To Chepstow 3 Miles". |
 |
 |
| 4 |
349976 198518 |
not on map |
349976 198518 |
Plate missing. |
 |
 |
| 5 |
348448 198861 |
348516 198760 |
|
This mounting stone is located about where the
milestone should be. |
 |
 |
| 6 |
347986 200351 |
347950 200424 |
347950 200424 |
At New Inn. Partially buried obscuring the inscription " To Chepstow 6 Miles". |
 |
 |
| 7 |
347456 201932 |
|
|
Presumably moved after 1886. |
|
|
| 7½ |
|
347481 202763 |
|
1.5 miles from milestone 6. On the hill out of Llanishen towards Chepstow. Not
located despite being on the current OS map. |
|
|
| 8 |
347699 202968 |
347475 202771 |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
348771 204200 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
349926 205179 |
|
349683 204887 |
This milestone has been moved from its 1886 location.
It is now on the left about ½ mile from Trellech travelling from
Chepstow. The inscription has been damaged and is unreadable apart from
the word "To". 3½ miles from the 6 mile stone at New Inn.
Defaced. |
 |
 |
| 11 |
350267 206591 |
|
350163 206207 |
The 1886 map shows this stone located just before the
turn to Warren's Farm, going towards Trellech. 4 Miles to Monmouth. It
is actually a quarter of a mile nearer to Trellech, a mile from
milestone 10. Defaced. |
 |
 |
| 12 |
|
|
|
This milestone should be located, a mile distant from
the previous, on the verge opposite the former ostrich farm at OS 349952
207716 |
|
|
| 13 |
350220 209528 |
|
|
The 1886 map shows this stone on Lydart Hill,
adjacent to Lydart House. 2 Miles to Monmouth. But if it has been moved
subsequently, it should be located higher up outside Rock Cottage at OS
349917 209096 |
|
|
| |
|
|
350056 209375 |
This stone is located at the Penallt turn on Lydart
Hill. At a point about 3 miles from Agincourt Square, Monmouth. There
may have been an inscription near the top. However, it is less than ½
mile from the 2 miles to Monmouth stone. It is not marked on the current
OS Explorer map or the 1886 map. |
 |
 |
| 14 |
|
350558 210240 |
|
This milestone is marked on the modern Explorer map
just below the Lydart bends, near a mounting stone . |
|
|
| 15 |
350757 211634 |
|
|
The 1886 map shows this stone at the Trothy Bridge. 1
Mile to Monmouth 137 miles to London. |
|
|
B4293 Chepstow to Devauden via Itton
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B4235 Chepstow to Usk road
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 1 |
not on map |
not on map |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
not on map |
ST506942 |
ST506942 |
|
 |
 |
| 3 |
not on map |
ST494942 |
ST494942 |
|
 |
 |
| 4 |
not on map |
ST481944 |
ST481944 |
|
 |
 |
| 5 |
not on map |
ST467948 |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
not on map |
ST457959 |
ST457959 |
|
 |
 |
| 7 |
not on map |
not on map |
|
Appears to be missing |
|
|
| 8 |
|
ST434975 |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
not on map |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
SO418014 |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
SO418014 |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
SO407016 |
|
|
|
|
A48 Chepstow to Gloucester road.
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1891 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 1 |
353977 194679 |
not on map |
353935 194694 |
Perhaps the milestone against the wall of the Cross Keys Inn
at Tutshill. (See B4228 to St Briavels) |
 |
 |
| 2 |
355356 195334 |
|
|
On the Gloucester side of
the Railway Bridge at Tidenham |
|
|
| 3 |
356398 196543 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
357367 197843 |
|
|
Near the road junction in
Stroat |
|
|
| 5 |
358549 198877 |
|
|
On the Lydney side of Wyvern |
|
|
| 6 |
359702 199941 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
360686 201109 |
360652 201101 |
|
Spotted on the left bank
just before entering Alvington going towards Chepstow. |
|
|
| 8 |
361965 201953 |
362137 202074 |
|
Should be at the Lydney end of Aylburton. |
|
|
| 9 |
363110 203003 |
|
|
Chepstow end of Lydney |
|
|
| 10 |
364302 203959 |
|
|
Cross Hands |
|
|
| 11 |
365545 204981 |
365548 204981
on map |
365548 204981 |
On the left between Blakeney and Lydney. Defaced. |
 |
 |
| 12 |
366560 206164 |
|
|
Nibley green |
|
|
| 13 |
367460 207133 |
|
|
On the hill entering Lydney from
Gloucester |
|
|
| 14 |
367657 208694 |
|
|
Underdean |
|
|
| 15 |
368636 209796 |
|
|
Bullo |
|
|
| 16 |
368700 211284 |
|
|
Close up against the railway bridge at Ruddle |
|
|
| 17 |
369434 212336 |
|
|
400 yards the Gloucester side of Newnham |
|
|
| GLS 10 |
370366 213812 |
370366 213812 |
|
Elton. Between the junction with
the A4151 (Forest of Dean) and Gloucester the distances are to
Gloucester. |
|
|
| GLS 9 |
371596 214249 |
|
|
Westbury-on-Severn |
|
|
| GLS 8 |
372923 214060 |
|
|
Stantway |
|
|
| GLS 7 |
374289 214459 |
374350 214491 |
|
Chaxhill |
|
|
| GLS 6 |
375459 215445 |
375459 215445 |
|
Bottom of Hartland's Hill |
|
|
| GLS 5 |
376277 216678 |
376277 216678 |
|
|
|
|
| GLS 4 |
377700 217154 |
377700 217154 |
|
Minsterworth |
|
|
| GLS 3 |
378985 217713 |
378985 217713 |
|
|
|
|
| GLS 2 |
379561 219124 |
379563 219158 |
|
Highnam - Gloucester side of roundabout |
|
|
| GLS 1 |
381028 219440 |
381028 219440 |
|
Over |
|
|
B4228 Chepstow to St Briavels road.
| Milestone |
Location Grid Ref |
Description |
Location Photograph |
Close-up Photo |
| 1886 OS |
Modern OS Explorer |
Current Location |
| 1 |
|
not on map |
353935 194694 |
Against the wall of the Cross Keys Inn
at Tutshill. Unusual colour, but it looks cared-for. |
|
|
| 2 |
|
354273 195971
on map |
354273 195971 |
The Rising Sun at Woodcroft is on the left in the
distance towards Chepstow. Part of the inscription is just visible. |
 |
 |
| 3 |
|
354900 197246
on map |
354900 197246 |
This milestone is on the Offa's Dyke Long Distance
Path. All that can be read is "3 miles". The top has been damaged,
presumably by passing traffic. |
 |
 |
| 4 |
|
355518 198660
on map |
|
Not found. Should be 200 metres north of
the Miss Graces Lane junction. |
|
|
|
5 |
|
355866 200153
on map |
355866 200153
|
Madgett Cottages on the bend
in the distance. The lettering is intact but hard to read owing to the
mud splashed on the stone. Daffodils planted in front. |
 |
 |
|
6 |
|
356456 201292
on map |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
356234 202836
on map |
|
Looking towards St Briavels. |
 |
 |
The 1886 Ordnance Survey maps which can be accessed at
http://www.old-maps.co.uk/ are a great
help in locating where milestones were as are the modern Ordnance Survey Explorer
1:25000 maps.
There is an excellent small book Called "Milestones" by
Mervyn Benford which Shire Books
publish at £4.99 ISBN 0-7478-0526-1.
For further information on Chepstow's Turnpike Roads see
"Turnpike Roads - The Chepstow and New Passgae Turnpike Districts"
by Ivor Waters published 1985 ISBN 0906134315
An email would be appreciated if anyone can confirm the existence of a
milestone.
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