Newport

Newport, or Casnewydd, as it is known to the countrymen, is a Welsh city and unitary authority, near the Welsh capital of Cardiff. The city is very prettily situated in the Vale of Usk, on the banks of the River Usk and is bordered by the Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The fertile valley of the River Usk is known to have been settled long ago by Bronze Age fishermen and later by tribal Celts who built hillforts to defend the valley. The earliest known record of the modern city was by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, who referred to it as a new borough in the 12th century, when construction of the replacement castle was underway to replace the motte-and-bailey original.

The coal and iron-rich Valleys of South Wales contributed grandly to the development of the area, which boasts a network of canals and navigable waterways, excellent transport links and fine architecture as a result of the prosperity of the area, particularly since the Industrial Revolution.  

As well as the numerous popular walks in the area, salmon fishing on the Usk and canal journeys that are enjoyed by many of the visitors to Newport, the city also boasts a very good shopping district with a range of modern and traditional pub restaurants, and quality holiday accommodation. Just a selection of the sites and attraction in the local area include: the Cathedral and Museum, Newport Castle, the Fourteen Locks, Tredegar House, the Transporter Bridge, and the Roman amphitheatre in neighbouring Caerleon.