Car Hire Newport Gwent - Mini guide to Newport Gwent

The lively, coastal town of Newport in South Wales, standing on the link roads between Wales and England, is a great place to discover the region’s fascinating history from ancient Roman times up to the Industrial Revolution, or to explore the beauty of the nearby Welsh valleys and Brecon Beacons.

Two of Newport’s most striking attractions are the seventeenth century Tredegar House and Park, one of the finest 17th Charles II mansions in Britain, and the impressive 177ft high Transporter Bridge that dominates the skyline. However, the chief attraction for history lovers is the nearby village of Caerleon, the site of one of Britain’s three Roman Legionary Fortresses and believed to be the location of King Arthur’s Camelot.

In the town centre, with its many traffic free streets, shoppers can enjoy both specialty stores and High Street favourites, or sit at cafes watching the street artists. Many visitors also visit the Museum Galleries which house an internationally significant collection from the Roman town of Caerwent, and renowned collections of 18th and 19th C watercolours.

As well as good shopping and a large number of restaurants and bars, for nightlife the town centre also offers theatre, nightclubs and cinema, including the multi-screen Metroplex Cinema on Bridge Street. For leisure activities, the Newport Centre is probably the best option, with a leisure pool, flume and wave machine, a sauna, health suite and sports facilities.

Exploring the surroundings by car is particularly rewarding, with fine beaches at Porthcawl and Barry Island less than 50 miles away. Also of interest is Penhow Castle, with restored period rooms, galleries and battlements dating from Norman times. Alternatively, visit the Fourteen Locks Centre, with its impressive 160ft high flight of locks, pleasant picnic area and easy to follow walks.

With excellent road links, Newport is easiest to reach from either Cardiff or Birmingham international airports. Travellers arriving at one of London’s airports can also use the excellent rail links from London to nearby Cardiff, and travel on from there.