10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Newport, Wales
Just off the M4 motorway, with great transports links and a rather cool railway station, Newport has made international headlines in the past decade. Chosen as host city for the 2010 Ryder Cup and having hosted the 2014 NATO Summit, there’s a lot more to this often-forgotten Welsh city than meets the eye. So, why exactly should you visit Newport, Wales?
Llandegfedd Reservoir
A short drive from the city centre, Llandegfedd Reservoir is a real haven of calm. Used for diving, canoeing, sailing and of course, fishing, the name Llandegfedd translates as ‘the church of five saints’. The picture-perfect resevoir opened in 1965 and provides water for the whole city and surrounding areas. A great place for birdwatching; as well as waterfowl and Goshawks, Ospreys have also been sighted.
International Political Pilgrimage
World Championship Snooker and Darts
Newport Centre hosts many sporting events, most famously the Welsh Open snooker tournament. It has also held Premier League Darts matches and offers a leisure centre complete with a glass-walled swimming pool and views over the neighbouring River Usk.
It Has a Splendid 9th-Century Cathedral
St Woolos Cathedral, on top of Stow Hill close to the city centre, has been a religious site since the 5th century when St Woolos, or Gwenllyw, established a small religious order there. Much changed over the years, yet with a medieval core, this pretty little cathedral is one of Newport’s hidden gems.
Home of Poet WH Davies
Know as ‘The Tramp Poet’, WH Davis, who penned the now legendary lines: ‘What is this life if, full of care/We have no time to stand and stare’ in his poem Leisure, called Newport his home. He was born at 6 Portland Street in the Pill area, close to the docks. One of the romantic Georgian poets, his most famous literary work was The Autobiography of a Super Tramp.
Tredegar House
One of Wales’ finest examples of restoration architecture, this outstanding mansion peeps through the trees as you pass by the city via the M4 motorway. With soft red brick and period features, the one-time home of the illustrious Morgan family is now in the care of the National Trust. Newport’s history, however, goes back a lot further.
Roman Remains
Caerleon-on-Usk, a short drive from the city, has some of the best preserved Roman remains in Britain. The home of the Second Augustan Legion, you can visit the ruins and peruse the museum to discover exactly how the Romans lived. With some stunning artefacts, Caerleon is a flagship site for Roman-history enthusiasts.
Twmbarlwm
Once sacred to the Druids, this mountain (known locally as the Tump) overlooks the city and is crowned by the remains of an Iron Age Hill Fort and Norman castle. The fort was originally constructed by the Celtic Silures tribe, and proved the ideal lookout post to keep an eye on the Roman invaders in nearby Caerleon. Perfect for a bracing afternoon’s hike, as the views are outstanding.
Great Nightlife
Newport has many clubs and bars – the nightlife is extremely lively and can get a little rowdy. Enjoy dinner at one of the newly constructed Friars Walk restaurants before heading into town to dance the night away. There are several live music venues with gigs most weekends.
The Transporter Bridge
One of the most iconic images of the city, the Newport Transporter Bridge is one of only three in Europe. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, it still carries cars and passengers today. Straddling the River Usk, a little upstream from the Alexandra Docks, the transporter bridge is a very beautiful example of industrial design.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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