Out & About in Newport

With a population of more than 140,000 inhabitants, Newport is a relatively large city in Wales that is situated alongside the River Usk. As a consequence of its close proximity to the river, the city's history can be traced back to riverside Bronze Age settlements and later periods saw both the Celts and the Romans erect various fortifications in what was considered a strategically important location.

Newport Castle is a prominent landmark in the city and has been subject to numerous attacks over the years, including those inflicted by Oliver Cromwell's rampaging army. Nowadays, the castle stands as a ruin on the bank of the river, but what it stands for in cultural and historic terms is far more significant.

Other notable destinations in Newport include St. Woolo's Cathedral, which has been heavily restored over the years following its pre-Norman construction. Another fantastic building in the city is the Newport Civic and Clock Tower, which took almost thirty years to build and is an art deco masterpiece on the Newport skyline.

The city is at present undergoing a multi-million pound facelift, with improvements being carried out on the railway station to the tune of around =A3200 million and an =A311 million five star hotel is also under construction. In short, Newport is a city that is developing for the future.

Shopping

As part of the redevelopment of Newport, a =A3210 million shopping centre - Friars Walk - is scheduled for completion by 2010 and will comprise space for 281 outlets and a 20 storey tower! Notwithstanding this, Newport also has plenty of shopping opportunities for those who cannot wait until 2010!

Kingsway Shopping Centre has long been the largest indoor complex in Newport and is currently open to the public, although substantial redevelopment funds have also been spent on the centre and some construction work is ongoing. Kingsway features many popular department stores and has a retail floor space of just under 27,000 metres squared.

The Cambrian Centre is a smaller shopping complex that has also been earmarked for major reconstruction. The fact that Newport's two major shopping centres are subject to redevelopment is indicative of the huge scale of the reconstruction undertaken in the city. The new Cambrian Centre is planned to feature a top quality hotel, offices, increased car parking, gym, more shops and a 30 storey residential tower.

A more traditional shopping experience can be found at Newport's major Farmers' Market, which has expanded significantly as of 24th April 2009. The market now includes various stalls that sell such goods as crepes, pies, cakes, fish, poultry, jams, chutneys, olives and dried meats. Certainly, the Farmers' Market is the place to be to buy fresh produce at great prices.

Food and Drink

There is a considerable range of restaurants, cafés, pubs and bars in Newport that would be regarded by most people as top quality. The restaurant at the Waterloo Hotel, for instance, serves delicious dishes at affordable prices in wonderful surroundings. The delightful British menu and sheer opulence of the building will have many guests thinking they are dining as royalty!

A more European cuisine can be savoured at the Chandlery Restaurant on Lower Dock Street, which is famed for its high standard menu and relaxing ambience. Another superb European cuisine restaurant can be found in Bassaleg. Junction 28 Restaurant is a converted railway station, which is itself quite an attraction, whilst the menu offers a splendid range of dishes from ravioli of wild mushrooms, smoked salmon and terrine of rabbit!

There are also a host of top drawer pubs in Newport, including the Riverside Tavern in Clarence Place, which is widely regarded as the best pub in Newport. With the redevelopment of the city, many more cafés and bars will be opening in the city centre.

Arts and Entertainment

Newport Museum and Art Gallery features a range of fine collections, from British watercolours and contemporary paintings to artefacts of the local history, including prehistoric and Roman. The museum is also home to the city's major library.

There are plenty of things to do in and around Newport, including the cinema, bowling and theatre. The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre is a great venue of theatre, dance and live music. In respect to sport, 2010 will see Newport as the host of the Ryder Cup, which is a famous golf tournament.

Hotel and Travel

In terms of luxury places to stay in Newport, guests should look no further than the Celtic Manor Resort, which comprises the Resort Hotel and the Manor House Hotel - two exceptional and magnificent buildings that offer guests the very best in accommodation!

The main mode of transport in Newport, other than car, is the railway. Indeed, Newport Station accommodates some 2.2 million passengers each year and, like much of the city centre, is undergoing substantial redevelopment.