Travel to Newport

Travel to Newport

The vibrant, coastal town of Newport is situated in South Wales, and stands on the gateway between Wales and England. It is Wales third-largest city after Cardiff and Swansea. Newport is a rewarding place in which to discover the regions interesting past, from ancient Roman times up to the Industrial Revolution.

After losing some of its principal industries, the city of Newport is now successfully re-establishing itself, and today, it is a centre of commerce and modern industry. In addition, it is a great base from which to explore the natural beauty of the nearby Brecon Beacons and the Welsh valleys. The town also boasts one of Europes most significant complexes of championship golf courses, the Celtic Manor Resort, which will host the Ryder Cup in 2010. In the surrounding area, you can find more than 30 outstanding golf courses as well.

Transportation to Newport

With outstanding road connections, Newport is conveniently accessible from both Cardiff and Birmingham international airports. Visitors coming in at one of the airports in London can also make use of the good railway connections from London to the nearby Welsh city of Cardiff, and travel on from there.

London is 139 miles (224kms) from Newport; Birmingham 93 miles (150kms); Bristol 30 miles (48kms); Cardiff 12 miles (19kms) and Manchester 166 miles (267kms). Newport's public transport system is extensive, with thousands of miles covered by daily local bus and coach services in addition to railway services.

What to see

Caerleon is the United Kingdoms most interesting and varied Roman site and it is home to one of the nations most pivotal historic houses, Tredegar House; the iconic Transporter Bridge and the serenity and fascinating past of the Fourteen Locks Canal. These are just a few of the excellent attractions on your doorstep.

The city of Newport is surrounded by pretty landscapes including the Wye Valley, which is an area of gorgeous natural beauty; the enchanting Vale of Usk, renowned for its salmon fishing; the Forest of Dean and the Brecon Beacons National Park, the latter two which can be reached within less than an hour by car from Newport.

More local interesting attractions include: Cwm Hedd, a vast spring-fed lake which is truly a haven of tranquillity and peace; Newport Castle, wonderfully positioned on the River Usks banks where it was constructed in the beginning of the 14th century to control the Usk crossing and guard the settlement; the Art Gallery, which presents a comprehensive programme of events and exhibitions covering aspects of design and art, focusing on artists who live and work in Wales; and in the suburbs of the city, you can find numerous examples of beautiful chapels and churches dating from the Victorian era.

As well as excellent shopping and plenty of restaurants, traditional pubs and bars, the town centre also offers a multi-screen Metroplex Cinema on Bridge Street, a theatre and lively nightclubs. The Newport Centre is probably the finest option regarding a selection of leisure activities. The facility boasts a leisure pool, sauna, flume, wave machine, health suite and sports amenities.

Daytrips

Due to Newports beautiful surroundings, there are plenty of options for daytrips. Exploring the region by private car is especially rewarding, with splendid beaches at Barry Island and Porthcawl less than 50 miles (80kms) away. Also interesting is Penhow Castle, with refurbished period rooms, battlements and galleries dating from the Norman era.

Alternatively, you can visit the Fourteen Locks Centre, with its astonishing 160 foot high flight of locks, easy to follow walks and laid-back picnic area. During the summer months, you also have the convenient option of seeing the citys most interesting sights by joining the popular open-top bus tour.

Activities and leisure

Newport City Council manages several leisure and sports amenities that cater for all abilities and tastes, from the Newport International Sports Village, which offers the velodrome, a swimming pool, gym and a tennis centre, to more community-based leisure options. Also a great option for visitors is the Newport Centre, which features a range of sports facilities, a swimming pool, flume, wave machine, health centre and sauna.

Safety issues

Newport is a relatively safe city, although, as with any big town in Britain (the Newport urban area has more than 160,000 inhabitants), there are some spots where pickpockets might practice their skills. However, the citys crime rates are traditionally low.

Petty crime here typically involves travellers who look out of place in busy and popular tourist destinations. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings and keep precious valuables out of sight. If pickpockets have the impression that you know what you are doing, they will probably not choose you as their next victim.