Photographs and article about Newport

Newport (Trefdraeth in Welsh)

Newport is defined by its beach - the name in Welsh, Trefdraeth, simply means "Town on the Beach". Newport's houses are now amongst some of the most expensive in west Wales, not simply because of the character of the town or the "golden" sands, but because it is such a complete holiday centre on a par with Tenby, Saundersfoot & St. Davids.

With a diverse range of artist's studios & galleries, pubs, restaurants, small shops (including a bookshop and a candle shop) plus a Boat Club and a Golf Club, coupled with a wide range of excellent walks along the coastal path and up to Carningli for the panoramic views.

Perhaps now you can see why this little town has become so popular, not only as a place to live, but as an all round holiday centre. Newport web site

From this "snippet" from over 150 years ago, you can see its beginnings as a tourist attraction:
Newport "consists of numerous small streets irregularly formed, neither lighted nor paved, but naturally well supplied with excellent water. The houses, with some few exceptions, are indifferently built, but, from intermixture of numerous trees with the buildings, the town has, at a small distance, a pleasingly rural appearance; and the surrounding scenery, in which its venerable church and the picturesque remains of its ancient castle form prominent and interesting features, renders the distant view of it strikingly beautiful." More ....

Newport Church and Castle

There is a Norman Church (St Marys) and Castle, though the latter has had rather a chequered history. Built on a spur of Carningli by William FitzMartin around 1200 it was destroyed twice in the succeeding 100 years. In ruins by the 17th century and then transformed in the mid 19th century into a home. There is no visitor access to it, as it is still in private hands. Description of the Castle and its history

The town has become something of an "artisan's" paradise and there are many Studios and Galleries both in the town and nearby.

The River Nevern cuts the town off from the beach, but a bridge built in Victorian times (you can still see the former stepping stones at low tide) leads both to the beach and the Golf Club.

The estuary is famous for its tremendous variety of birds and it has become an essential part of any "Bird Watching" holiday in west Wales.

The Visit Pembrokeshire Web Site says this - "Nevern Estuary is best viewed from the iron-bridge at the head of the estuary. Much disturbed but a place that affords close viewing of Waders, Gulls, Herons and Kingfishers"

Newport estuary boasts some stepping stones in the water (accessible at low tide) which act as a short cut between both beaches. Traditionally these are associated with the medieval pilgrims who were travelling to St David's via Nevern.

There was a bridge here in the Middle Ages, but according to legend it was removed in the 1600's to prevent an epidemic from reaching the town from Nevern parish.

Until 1894, when the precursor to the present bridge was built, the stepping stones were used at low tide and a ferry boat operated when the tide was high.

Things to see & do in the immediate hinterland

Two ancient attractions are within a few miles. Castell Henllys is an iron age fort with reconstructed roundhouses to show you what life was like in pre-historic times.

Pentre Ifan is a neolithic burial chamber just over a mile from the town and well worth a visit - certainly on a par with West Kennet in Wiltshire.

From the top of Carningli it is possible, on a clear day, to see the Mountains of Snowdonia, St Davids Peninsula and the oil refineries of Milford Haven (if that attracts you!). There is also an ironage hillfort perched right on the summit.

Newport Castle and Church from Newport Sands

Newport Castle (now a private residence)

Nevern River and reed beds from Iron Bridge

Full tide on the Nevern at evening time`

The Parrog at Newport

Mid summer sunset from the Nevern estuary

© Rachel Thomas, Paul Winter & Jon Jones 2013 Pictures on this page were taken specially for Welsh Coast & Country.
They cannot be used for any other purpose without permission.
A higher resolution copy is available, on request, for approved purposes. A fee may be charged.