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Newport Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History

    Newport dates back 2,000 years, when it was a Celtic settlement. The remains of a Roman barracks, bath house and amphitheatre at Caerleon are one of the best preserved Roman military sites in Britain. The remains of a Norman castle can still be seen in the city as well. In the 19th century the city became an important place for exporting coal, due to its modern docks. In 2002...Read more the remains of a medieval ship were found in the banks of the River Usk during work to build a new arts centre. Read less

  • 2. Now

    Newport sits at the gateway between England and Wales and is popular with tourists, offering plenty of attractions. It is a modern city but also boasts a rich history. The University of Wales is based in the city and attracts students from countries all over the world. Many changes are taking place in Newport thanks to an ongoing £2million regeneration project. Changes inclu...Read morede new shopping areas, a new riverside park and walkway and much more. Read less

  • 3. Events

    The Caerleon Arts Festival takes place over ten days in July and includes performances of music, dance, drama art, poetry and singing. The celebrations end with a festival weekend at Hanbury Field, which attracts more than 2,000 people. The Tredegar House Folk Festival takes place in May and provides a weekend of dance, music and song. The event attracts hundreds of people as ...Read morewell as performance groups from all over the world. Read less

  • 4. Attractions

    Tredegar House is a 17th century mansion set in 90 acres of parkland. Visitors can glimpse what life was like for those who lived above and below stairs by touring the state rooms and the servants’ quarters. The Fourteen Locks Canal Visitor Centre tells the history of the canal, displays how a lock works and gives visitors a virtual journey along the canal. Visitors can also...Read more marvel at the flight of locks outside the centre, which rises 160 feet in just half a mile. The remains of the medieval ship found on the banks of the River Usk can be visited during open days. These days include tours, craft activities, re-enactments and displays. Caerleon is the site of the remains of Roman barracks, bath house and amphitheatre. Visitors can see the remains and learn about them at the National Roman Legion Museum. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do

    The Newport Wetlands Reserve is a wildlife reserve covering 438 hectares. The site includes a visitor centre and trails and is a great place to see birds, orchids, butterflies, dragonflies and otters. The city’s art gallery has a programme of changing exhibitions as well as permanent displays and collections. The city’s museum tells the history of Newport through its colle...Read morections and displays. Visitors to the city can enjoy its public art by following a trail around the city. Items to be seen on the trail include statues and murals. The Newport Centre has a leisure pool with flume and wave machine and a multi-purpose sports hall. Read less

  • 6. Business

    Newport Indoor Market offers great shopping opportunities for everything from fresh food to gifts. There are also regular art and craft fairs, table top sales, comic and record fayres at the site. The city centre’s shopping facilities fall into three main areas. The Commercial Street area is the main street and offers big stores and high street names, while the Market Quarte...Read morer is home to the indoor market as well as smaller arcades containing independent shops. The Kingsway Centre and John Frost Square area contains many clothes and fashion retailers. Read less

  • 7. Transport

    By road, Newport can be easily reached by the M4 motorway, which links to England to the east and the rest of Wales to the west. London is about 139 miles from the city and Cardiff is just 12 miles away. The A449 is the main road running north from Newport. Bristol Airport is about 18 miles from the centre of the city and Cardiff Airport is about 20 miles away. Both have domes...Read moretic and international flights. The Great Western main railway line passes through Newport and stops at the city’s High Street Station. It takes 90 minutes to reach London by train. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment

    The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre includes two theatre spaces, three visual art galleries, a dance studio, recording studio, three workshop rooms, conference room and licensed café. Its packed programme of live events is varied. The Dolman Theatre is home to many of Newport’s amateur drama, dance and musical societies and is owned and run by the Newport Playgoers Socie...Read morety. The Newport Centre has many sporting events, live music and theatre. Read less

  • 9. Famous Landmarks

    Newport’s transporter bridge is 105 years old. Visitors can find out more about the bridge and its history at the visitor centre on the western side. Its towers stand 645 feet apart and rise 242 feet above road level. It is electrically powered, with the gondola being pulled across by a cable wound round a drum in the motor house on the east bank at a maximum speed of 10 feet...Read more per second. Read less

  • 10. Interesting Fact

    Parts of the 1959 film Tiger Bay were filmed on Newport’s Transporter Bridge. The film starred a young Hayley Mills, who is now Honorary Life Vice President of Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge.

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