Newport Travel Guide

There is much to see and do during your day here including: the dinosaurs, the wild west, lose yourself in the maze, relive your childhood in Nurseryland, and meet smugglers and pirates!

I am sure that you will find something to bring out the child in you!

Taste of Asia - THE premier curry house.
La Bamba - Mexican which is more like a raucous cocktail bar on the weekend. Good fun.
Villa Dinos - top Italian, beautiful food and always willing to oblige.
Fratelli's - another good Italian.
Celtic Manor Hotel - expensive and posh.

Depends what you like.

Time magazine once described Newport as 'the new Seattle' of the music scene....hhmmmm wouldn't go that far but there is a thriving local music scene with unknown guitar type bands playing regularly -check out Le Pub, The Riverside and The Legendary TJ's (where Kurt Cobain allegedly proposed to Courtney Love). Some bigger bands play The Newport Centre (in recent years Paul Weller, The Stone Roses etc)
Zanzibar is the biggest nightclub, and for a cheesy sort of night out is OK while TJ's and Bar Rhumba caters for the more alternative.
There are lots of pubs including the seen everywhere in Britain chain pubs (like Yates and Weatherspoons), some 'real' Welsh pubs (eg The Engineers and The Red Lion) and alternative, studenty ones (Le Pub, The Murrenger and The Riverside).
There are some top nights out to be had in Newport, and it's all in easy walking distance (and thats coming from someone who isn't prepared to walk far for a pint).

Dress Code: Zanzibar and most of the town centre pubs require smart dress (shirt, no trainers etc), but TJ's, Bar Rhumba and the less commercial pubs let you wear whatever you like.

Train station in the town which is on the main line to Cardiff, served by trains from London, Brimingham and Manchester.
Bus station also in town with regular services from most major cities.
Nearest airport is just outside Cardiff (30 minute drive)
To the north east is one of the most scenic canal systems in Europe (Monmouthshire Brecon Canal).
Newport is linked to the Lon Las Cymru (pan Wales cycling route) with dedicated cycle paths leading up to North Wales and across to the west.
Taxis are plentiful and not too expensive.
Buses can take you to most surrounding towns and vilages.

Like any major urban area there are districts to avoid and, in the town centre, pubs which are better left to the locals.
Unfortunately Newport has a bad reputation, but (and I'm not being too biased) any city/town can leave a bitter aftertaste and Newport is no worse than other places I've been in Britain. On the whole it's a friendly place - avoid the bad bits and don't act like an arsehole and you'll be fine.
Hope that doesn't sound too intimidating because Newport really isn't.

The Valleys - area to the north of Newport traditionally associated with coal minning and iron/steel production. The old industries have all but disapeared leaving behind a rich legacy of heritage. The people will talk to you for hours (usually over a pint) and no where in the world will you be made more welcome.

Fondest memory: As a child I used to go on holiday with my parents. They decided to take us on the chairlift to the beach at Alum Bay. My brother and I were swinging around in the chairs while our parents looked on in horror. When we went back up we weren't allowed to sit together! At least we weren't trying to push each other out though - which could have been quite possible in those days!

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