An introduction to Newport

Newport is a vibrant city in South Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about 12 miles east of Cardiff. 

Activities of interest in Newport:

Newport offers a wealth of activities and attractions. With sites including a Cathedral, a castle and a museum as well as the Fourteen Locks on the canal experience. 

Tredegar House, a wonderful example of Charles II country mansion has a fascinating history and the Amphitheatre at Caerlon is the only visible example of a Roman barracks in the UK. The Newport Medieval Ship was discovered in the banks of the River Usk in June 2002 during construction of the Riverfront Theatre. The ship was excavated by a team of archaeologists and lifted from the ground timber by timber. Newport Wetlands Reserve, a flagship attraction in the UK which is owned and run by the Countryside Council for Wales, has something different to offer with the seasons and the changing life cycles of the birds, animals and plants - spot the very rare species too.

The Newport International Sports Village, including the Wales National Velodrome, has been the training ground of Olympians and possible future sportsmen and women of 2012 will be practising here too - so come and join in with the swimming, tennis and cycling, just a few of the many sports available.

Getting to Newport

The city is excellently served with transport links, the M4 motorway comes within a mile of the city centre, and Newport has six junctions. The Great Western main railway line also passes through the heart of the city, stopping at High Street Station.

By Coach: Newport is served by regular National Express coaches from London, West Wales, the North, Midlands and South West England. There is also a direct service from Heathrow, Gatwick and Bristol Airports. See the National Express Coaches website www.nationalexpress.com or tel: 08705 808 080.

By Rail: There are excellent Intercity services to Newport from all major cities. London is one hour and forty minutes away and Birmingham two hours by high speed trains which operate hourly. For rail services throughout Wales - Arriva Trains Wales. Customer Relations: tel 0845 60 61 60. For all rail services throughout the UK - National Rail Enquiries. Tel. 08457 48 49 50 (24 Hours). www.nationalrail.co.uk

The settlement of 'Newport' is first mentioned as novo burgus established by Robert, Earl of Gloucester in 1126. The name was derived from the original Latin name Novus Burgus, meaning new borough or new town.

The original Newport Castle was a small Motte-and-bailey castle in the park opposite Newport Cathedral. It was buried in rubble excavated from the railway tunnels that were dug under Stow Hill in the 1840s and no part of it is currently visible.

By 1521 Newport was described as having "a good haven coming into it, well occupied with small crays [merchant ships] where a very great ship may resort and have good harbour." Trade was thriving with the nearby ports of Bristol and Bridgwater and industries included leather tanning, soap making and starch making.The town's craftsmen included bakers, butchers, brewers, carpenters and blacksmiths.

During the English Civil War in 1648 Oliver Cromwell's troops camped overnight on Christchurch Hill overlooking the town before their attack on the castle the next day. A cannon-ball dug up from a garden in nearby Summerhill Avenue, dating from this time, now rests in Newport Museum.

Wales: the University

Wales has always been known for its emphasis on education. By the end of the nineteenth century, it was recognised by the working population as their way out of poverty, and their ambition did not stop short at primary or secondary education. The University of Wales was brought into being through the enthusiasm for learning and the determination, not to mention the generosity, of ordinary Welsh people: the miners, farmers and quarry workers who contributed to ‘the University of the People’ close to a hundred and twenty years ago.