Once the largest coal-exporting port in Wales, Newport is now a vibrant city with a fascinating history. Famous for its docks, the Roman remains in nearby Caerleon and its association with the 19th-century Chartist movement, Newport is full of cultural surprises and is certainly a Welsh city on the rise. Here are the top attractions to visit the next time you’re in this South Wales destination.
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 a multi-screen cinema complex, it’s a great place to entertain the family; parking is really easy too.
This newly restored, former cinema has become a cultural hotspot for Newport in recent years. Featuring live performances of music, comedy and theatre, the Neon has a full list of entertainment on offer. Be sure to check out the Newport Blues Festival, which the venue hosts every year.
A Newport institution, Le Pub is one of the best hangouts in the city. Featuring some excellent beer, not only is Le Pub a great watering hole, but it also hosts a number of locally sourced exhibitions and serves as a gallery space for local artists. Featuring everything from spoken word to local photography and art exhibitions, this place is sure to have something that will catch your eye.
A true homegrown talent, the Tiny Rebel Brewing Company has gone from strength to strength since being founded in 2012. Now after a £2.5 million investment, they’ve opened up their huge brewery and bar in Rogerstone, just outside the city centre. If you’re heading over there, make sure you check out Cwtch, their award-winning red ale brewed right there in the city.
Formerly known as the Wales National Velodrome, this sports facility is the perfect outing for those wanting to raise their heart rate. Named after the Welsh Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, the velodrome additionally boasts a dance studio, multipurpose event space and gym. The track has also hosted the UK Olympic cycling team for their pre-game training for the last three Olympics.
Additional reporting by Nicholas Grantham
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