"True Grit" Top 5 Page for this destination Newport by M0B1US

Newport Travel Guide: 50 reviews and 91 photos

Highlights

Newport reminds me of what people say Cardiff used to look like about 20 years ago - rough around the edges and just a little bit grimy...

But worry not, there are plenty of quirky gems to be had in this lively working class city! Well, it was a working class town until 2002 when it became Wales' newest city as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations...

All Newport really needs is a bit of a facelift in what otherwise would be an attractive town centre. Apart from a series of highly impressive pieces of public art dotted around the centre, it seems the council hasn't given the place a facelift since the 70's as most of the civic areas look decidedly from that period!

But all of this is changing!

Last October the ambitious new Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre opened and has already become a major focal point in the city. Also well under way is a massive city regeneration project called Newport Unlimited whose crowning glory will be completely redeveloping the Kingsway shopping centre and bus station and waterfront! As well as the Riverfront, each time I visit something new and exciting seems to be happening such as the renovation of the historic indoor market, or the addition of a number of cool cafes and restaurants...

Another major coup is the fact that the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament will be coming to Newport in 2010 at the Celtic Manor resort - so expect this place to look awesome by then!

Plenty of potential - plenty of character!

Quick Tips and Suggestions

Tredegar House

Visit the awesome Transporter Bridge - the best working example of its kind in the World today!

Check out the expansive grounds of Tredegar House, one of the best examples of a 17th c. house in Britain and home to the eccentric Morgan family for over 500 years - Captain Morgan anyone? ;-)

Visit nearby Caerleon for the best Roman fix on the British Isles!

Enjoy the gritty nature of this great indy music scene...

Getting Around

Newport Transporter Bridge

The centre of town is very compact and easy to get around.

Both the train and bus stations are right in the centre of the city.

There is a reasonably priced tour bus that does a circuit of all of Newport's best attractions.

While you're at it, why not 'ferry' your car across the Transporter Bridge!

Remember, Newport is only 13 minutes away from Cardiff by train - that is the equivalent of only a few stops on the tube in London!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Some Unexpected Gems
Cons:Plenty of 'Character' if you know what I mean... ;-)
In a nutshell:Rapidly becoming a destination in its own right!

Last visit to Newport: Aug 2004
Intro Updated Jun 15, 2005
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Reviews (12)

Map of the route including Caerleon - Newport

City Sightseeing Newport Tour Bus Transportation (1)

An awesome way to get around Newport is by tour bus. Operating during Summer and linking with Newport's Rail and Bus... more travel advice

Cool Cafes - The 'Zoo' in Newport Restaurants (3)

It's name is probably a take on Newport's nickname of 'Zooport'... Either way this is one of the best cafes in Newport... more travel advice

Cool Cafes - A rapidly expanding Welsh... Restaurants (3)

Part of the rapidly expanding Welsh Coffee #1 chain (I think there's 6-7 of them now!) whose founder hopes to have about... more travel advice

Cool Cafes - Chilled out hippyesque... Restaurants (3)

Found this place by accident on my wanders around Newport the first time I came here. As well as being a cafe in the... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (6)

sourbugger Nov 9, 2006 at 7:49 AM Report Abuse

what a great page. i have never been there, but i might just now
lomi Oct 7, 2006 at 9:24 AM Report Abuse

I havent heard of seen anything of Newport since my mother left my father dragging us four kids behind her to go to North Wales when I was 8. It was kind of spooky looking at my past. Very interesting though, thankyou.
KastleKonfusion Aug 6, 2006 at 2:21 PM Report Abuse

Great tips! You got me curious about the clock at John Frost Sq. Would you know if it's still standing? :D
aaaarrgh Dec 19, 2005 at 12:34 PM Report Abuse

Now, how come I've never seen your excellent "Cool Cafe" tips until now. Very tempting, thanks Gwilym!!
nickandchris Jun 20, 2005 at 9:29 AM Report Abuse

I'd love to see the clock in John Frost Square. Newport is an area we keep thinking about visiting and have newver got round to doing so!!
antistar Feb 7, 2005 at 2:58 PM Report Abuse

Reading your great tips made me feel I was a bit harsh on Newport, but you can't like everywhere. Besides there are so many better places in Wales to go, like Cardiff, Anglesea and Aberystwyth, that it seems almost wrong to send people to Newport! :)