South Wales is absolutely packed with castles, many of which were used to secure the Normans’ position in the borderlands after the invasion. Newport Castle is one of the later ones and overlooks the river Usk. Built in the 14th century, it was sacked only one hundred years later in Owain Glyndwr’s failed rebellion.
Unveiled in 199o, sculptor Peter Fink’s enormous steel wave, on the banks of the River Usk, was commissioned to commemorate the city’s role in the steel industry. Very much of its time, the Wave has become a symbol of Newport and is well known throughout the area.
St Woolos (Gwynllyw in Welsh) was a 5th-century saint who established a religious community on the site. The building you see today dates back to the 9th century, with later additions. On the eastern wall is a plaque showing the boundary of the original borough.
In November 1839, thousands of Welsh miners and ironworkers marched on the city’s Westgate Hotel to support the Chartist political movement which demanded rights and vote for all men, and more equality in government. Unfortunately, soldiers were waiting for them and at least 22 men were killed. Ten of these were hurriedly buried in the St Woolos churchyard and a plaque commemorates their martyrdom.
One of the finest examples of 1950s Brutalist architecture in the UK, this stark concrete clock tower gazes down over the city.
This fascinating piece of the Monmouthshire Canal is located in Rogerstone, a short drive from the city centre. It is a flight of 14 locks to allow narrowboats to descend the hillside. Crucial to the coal industry, this pretty canal carried the precious cargo down to Newport and to the docks for export. A great place for a leisurely walk, Fourteen Locks was originally built in 1799.
Newport’s most recent addition, Friars Walk opened in 2015 and sits across the road from the Riverfront. Full of shops, bars and some of the better restaurant chains, Friars Walk replaced the older concrete-jungle city centre, which had fallen into disrepair. With a bowling venue and multi-screen cinema complex, it’s a great place to entertain the family – parking is really easy, too.
