Used in episodes:
- Robin Hood and the Sorcerer
- The Enchantment
- The Inheritance
Chepstow Castle sits on the border between England and Wales, the Severn river running closely along side. For Robin of Sherwood, Chepstow hosted a number of classic scenes here, as well as some other minor ones. With a lot to cover, we went inside to see what we could find.
The first scene you really get to (if you're sharp) is one in The Inheritance. From the ticket office / main shop, head up the steps to the Kitchen and you're standing in the corridor used during the episode. All I'll say is it is when Much thought he heard the banquet. Head down the stairs to your right and into the wine cellar with the wonderful ceilings.
"All I'll say is it is when Much thought he heard the banquet."
The wine cellar was, I believe, a favourite of the production / location team for the show because it was used many times. To start with, as before, it was used as the old banqueting hall in Caerleon Castle for the scene with Much. Next, look at the back wall of the cellar and try and picture Marion on a pentagram. You guessed it, it was Belleme's magic chamber as well. Lastly, turn around and look at the window. The Enchantment used this nice little window. Picture Robert Addie with a knife, cutting the rope that dangled his nemesis over the ravine below, trying to get at the Eye of Satan gargoyle.
We're done here, head back up the steps, through the outer bailey following the path, towards the inner bailey for the next scene. Stop before you enter the inner bailey and look about. This access gate was used in The Enchantment and the was 'blocked' off, forcing the cast members through the little door to the left. It was the main access to the ruins of Castle Belleme. Step on through and you'll be faced with the Norman keep ahead of you, a ruin of the old multi-storey structure.
Ahh, the Keep. What a glorious sight. I can almost make out the Baron, standing framed in the doorway up there, about to fire the Silver Arrow at me with his magic. If you look to your left, you'll see the ramparts that the cast had to fight their way down during the episode. Obviously the nasty metal railing wasn't there then, but it's good to see that it's still accessible. You can head to the left and get up onto the top there if the mood takes you for a bit of nostalgia.
"..you'd have to be some kind of mad person not to recognise this!"
Deep breath ... we've still a lot more to do. Head past the keep on the
path, through the inner bailey at the back of it and out to the Barbican
at the rear. Now you'd have to be some kind of mad person not to recognise
this! Step up, Jason Connery and welcome to Caerleon Castle everyone.
I certainly don't need to describe the scene for you, now do I? To go
up to where Much and Isadora had their firing positions, go left at the
end of the bridge (although there is another way up back in the inner
bailey to the left) and up the spiral staircase. There is a doorway to
your left that takes you back towards the inner bailey, where Robin in
the episode had his sword fight with one of the mercenaries. From the
mid-landing keep going up and you'll get to the top where Much and Isadora
stood.
The entrance into the barbican served as the main entrance into Caerleon and on most visiting days these gates are closed. I'm afraid it's a bit of stroll now back out of the castle and around the side. But then, here's a few images of it to save your legs.
For the episode of The Inheritance a nice access bridge was constructed to get up to the gates, signs of which have now long gone but with a little imagination ...
That about covers all Robin of Sherwood related scenes at Chepstow, time to move on.
On the reel
