Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Newport Castle (now a private residence) was founded by a Norman nobleman called
William FitzMartin - who was married to a daughter of Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd - after his
father-in-law drove him out of nearby Nevern in 1191. Newport grew up around the
castle, initially as a garrison town.
Sights
There's a little dolmen,
Carreg Coetan
, right in town, well signposted from the main road
just past the Golden Lion. At first glance it looks like the capstone is securely supported
by the four standing stones. A closer inspection suggests that some old magic has held it
together all these thousands of years, as it's balanced on only two of them.
If you keep walking past Carreg Coetan, you come to an iron bridge over the
Nevern Estu-
ary
, a haven for birdlife, especially in winter. Cross the bridge and turn left for an easy
walk along the shoreline to the sandy beach of
Newport Sands
.
It's said that in the 6th century, St Brynach of Nevern used to head up
Mynydd Carningli
(347m) to commune with angels, which is the likely derivation of the name. You can
climb to the summit from town (a 3.5-mile round trip) via Market St then Church St,
keeping the castle on your right. At a fork in the lane called College Sq, go right (uphill),
following narrow tracks past a couple of farms and houses to reach a gate leading onto the
open hillside. Work your way up on grassy paths to the summit, the site of an Iron Age
hill fort, with great views of Newport Bay and Dinas Head. On a fine day you might spot
Ireland.
Sleeping
Newport YHA
( 0845 371 9543;
www.yha.org.uk
; Lower St Mary's St; dm/r from £18/48; )
Set in a converted
Victorian school, this central hostel has a lovely common room under the vaulted ceiling
and a variety of bunkrooms of different sizes.
HOSTEL
£
King Street Rooms
( 01239-820225;
www.kingstreetrooms.co.uk
; 4 King St; s/d from £50/75)
There are just two bright,
simple rooms in this wonderful new guesthouse where country cool meets urban minimal-
ist chic. Uncluttered yet quirky, warm and cosy, it's the kind of place where you feel im-
B&B
££
