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Newport (Casnewydd) is the third largest city in Wales, and the first city you will come to heading west on the M4 motorway. It stands at the mouth of the River Usk, just 8 miles from Cardiff, and looks out across the mouth of the River Severn towards Bristol. The Welsh name translates literally to New Castle – the castle in reference being the 12th century fort whose ruins can be found on the edge of the city centre. However, the history of the area can be traced back long before medieval times. The River Usk provided an attractive site for Bronze Age settlers and later Celtic Silures, and the region is particularly rich in remains and fortifications from this era.
During the Roman occupation of the British Isles the nearby town of Caerleon was established on the banks of the Usk, and Newport itself is believed to have been established by St Gwynllyw shortly after their departure. As the centuries passed, Newport’s convenient location led to the town becoming one of the key ports in South Wales. The Industrial Revolution and the exploitation of the rich coal seams in the Welsh valleys accelerated Newport’s growth still further.
The export of coal and the smelting of iron ore made Newport a wealthy town during the early 19th century – or rather it made a fortunate few extremely wealthy. Malcontent erupted in 1839 with the Chartist Uprising, when John Frost and a crowd of over 3,000 marched on the Westgate Hotel. A brief and bloody battle ensued, and while it was a tragic episode in Newport’s history, it did lead to the reforms that ultimately brought democracy to working people of the UK.
Newport’s iron and steel industries continued to develop into the early 20th century. The tonnages exported from the town rose and the distinctive Transporter Bridge was built in 1906. Now, many of Newport’s traditional industries have dwindled, but the city is re-inventing itself in the 21st century. The University of Wales in Newport is growing in status and the city is also gaining publicity through the five-star Celtic Manor Resort, which has become one of the UK’s leading championship golf courses and Ryder Cup venue.
During the Roman occupation of the British Isles the nearby town of Caerleon was established on the banks of the Usk, and Newport itself is believed to have been established by St Gwynllyw shortly after their departure. As the centuries passed, Newport’s convenient location led to the town becoming one of the key ports in South Wales. The Industrial Revolution and the exploitation of the rich coal seams in the Welsh valleys accelerated Newport’s growth still further.
The export of coal and the smelting of iron ore made Newport a wealthy town during the early 19th century – or rather it made a fortunate few extremely wealthy. Malcontent erupted in 1839 with the Chartist Uprising, when John Frost and a crowd of over 3,000 marched on the Westgate Hotel. A brief and bloody battle ensued, and while it was a tragic episode in Newport’s history, it did lead to the reforms that ultimately brought democracy to working people of the UK.
Newport’s iron and steel industries continued to develop into the early 20th century. The tonnages exported from the town rose and the distinctive Transporter Bridge was built in 1906. Now, many of Newport’s traditional industries have dwindled, but the city is re-inventing itself in the 21st century. The University of Wales in Newport is growing in status and the city is also gaining publicity through the five-star Celtic Manor Resort, which has become one of the UK’s leading championship golf courses and Ryder Cup venue.