Travellers vacate Caldicot Castle grounds ahead of VW camper van festival

Travellers who had set up an unauthorised encampment on the grounds of Caldicot Castle and Country Park in Monmouthshire left the site before the three‑day "Dubs at the Castle" Volkswagen camper‑van festival began. The group had originally moved onto the castle’s leisure‑centre playing fields, prompting the cancellation of Caldicot Comprehensive School’s sports day and a notice to vacate.

Monmouthshire Council, which owns the castle, said it would follow similar removal steps used previously. The council is still estimating clean‑up and repair costs for the leisure centre and castle grounds. Local councillor Rachael Garrick welcomed the festival proceeding as planned but highlighted the lack of authorised sites for travellers and the recurring displacement of the travelling community.

The festival started on Thursday, July 16, as scheduled, featuring classic camper vans and live music, after the encampment caused temporary disruption to site preparation.