The Drill Hall

The Drill Hall sits right in Chepstow town centre, a converted Victorian building that's become the town's cultural hub. It's a proper working arts centre - theatre, cinema, gallery space, and live music all under one roof. The building itself is the main draw; all red brick and period detail, it feels like the sort of place that's actually important to locals rather than some glossy visitor attraction bolted on for tourists.

Who gets the most from it depends what's on. Theatre lovers should check the programme - they get touring productions and local stuff that's often surprisingly good for a venue this size. If you're a film buff, the cinema's worth knowing about for the independent and world cinema they programme. The gallery space is usually free to wander, and it rotates local artists and craftspeople.

Timing-wise, allow an hour to have a proper look around if there's an exhibition on, less if you're just popping in. It's free to walk through the building and see what's happening, though ticketed shows and cinema screenings obviously cost. There's something on most weeks - worth checking their website before you visit.

Staying at Penhein Glamping nearby? Brilliant base. Chepstow itself has the castle and riverside walks, so the Drill Hall slots nicely into an afternoon if the weather's poor or you fancy a culture break. Not a destination in itself, but if you're already in the area, it's worth an hour.