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The county borough of Newport was granted city status in 2002 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. Newport does not have a cathedral. Newport is home to the University of South Wales, which has a campus in the city. The University of South Wales is a major higher education institution in Wales, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields, including arts, business, engineering, health, sciences, and social sciences.
The M4 motorway, one of the main motorways in the UK, runs directly through Newport, providing vital east-west connections across South Wales and between England and Wales.
The M4 motorway connects Newport to major cities such as Cardiff, Bristol, Swindon, Reading, and London. It serves as a crucial route for both commuter traffic and freight transport, facilitating economic activity and travel within the region and beyond.
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In addition to the M4 motorway, Newport is also served by other major roads and highways, including the A48, A4042, and A449, which provide additional connections to nearby towns and cities.
Overall, Newport's access to motorways and major road networks plays a significant role in its connectivity and accessibility, supporting economic development, tourism, and transportation in the region.
Newport is connected to waterways, primarily through the River Usk. The River Usk flows through the city, providing a natural connection to the Bristol Channel, which in turn connects to the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, the River Usk played a significant role in the city's development, serving as a transportation route for goods and people.
While the River Usk is not as heavily used for commercial shipping today as it once was, it still plays a role in Newport's transportation network. Additionally, the river and its surrounding areas provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, including boating, fishing, and walking along the riverbanks.
Furthermore, Newport historically had a network of canals, such as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, which connected the city to other industrial centers in South Wales. While these canals are no longer used for commercial purposes, they contribute to the city's heritage and are now often used for leisure activities like walking, cycling, and narrowboat trips.
The nearest major airport to Newport is Cardiff Airport (CWL), which is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Newport in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan. Cardiff Airport is the largest airport in Wales and offers domestic and international flights to various destinations across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
Newport railway station (often referred to as Newport High Street station) is in the city center of Newport. The station is operated by Transport for Wales, and it is served by frequent train services operated by various train companies, including Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway, and CrossCountry.
Newport, or Novus Burgus as it was known in Roman times, was likely a small Roman settlement or outpost. While it may not have been a significant Roman town, it likely served as a stopping point or a crossing point on the River Usk for travelers and traders moving along the Roman road network.
Archaeological excavations in and around Newport have uncovered Roman artifacts, including coins, pottery, and building foundations, suggesting Roman occupation and activity in the area. Additionally, remnants of a Roman road have been discovered in nearby areas, indicating the presence of Roman infrastructure.
One notable Roman site in Newport is Caerleon, located just a few miles to the west. Caerleon, known as Isca Augusta in Roman times, was a significant Roman fortress and town, serving as the headquarters of the Second Augustan Legion during the Roman occupation of Britain. While not within the boundaries of modern Newport, Caerleon's historical importance highlights the broader Roman influence in the region.
Newport Castle is a historic medieval castle located in the city center of Newport, Wales. The castle was built in the late 14th century by Hugh de Audley, the Earl of Gloucester and Lord of Glamorgan, to control access to the River Usk and to assert his authority in the region.
Newport Castle was originally constructed as a substantial stone fortress, with a rectangular keep surrounded by a curtain wall and a moat. It served as both a defensive stronghold and a residence for the local lord and his household.
Over the centuries, Newport Castle underwent various modifications and renovations. In the 19th century, parts of the castle were demolished to make way for new developments, and the castle fell into disrepair. However, efforts have been made to preserve and protect the remaining parts of the castle, and today it is a Grade II* listed building.
Newport has historical connections to the transatlantic slave trade, as it was involved in various aspects of the trade during the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. Like many other ports in Britain, Newport benefited economically from its participation in the trade, although its involvement may not have been as extensive as some other major ports like Liverpool or Bristol.
Newport's port played a role in the transatlantic slave trade by providing ships that were used to transport enslaved Africans from West Africa to the Americas. Newport merchants and shipowners invested in and profited from voyages carrying enslaved people to the colonies.
Newport merchants were involved in the trade of goods such as rum, molasses, sugar, and cotton, which were produced using enslaved labor in the Americas. These goods were imported into Newport and traded for other commodities or sold for profit.
Even if Newport itself did not directly import enslaved Africans or maintain plantations worked by enslaved labor, the city's economy was intertwined with the broader Atlantic economy, which was heavily reliant on slavery and the slave trade.
In 1844 there were twelve INNS AND PUBLIC HOUSES.
Angel Inn, Thomas K. Bevan ; Castle Inn, Ann Lloyd ; Farmers' Arms Mary Thomas ; Golden Lion, William Owen ; Jolly Sailor, David Williams ; Masons' Arms Benjamin James ; Plough, Ann Rees ; Royal Oak, John Hughes ; Ship-a-Ground, Margaret Havard ; Ship & Castle, Stephen Davies ; Tavern Spite, Evan Jones ; Waterman's Arms, Charlotte Roach.
Pub History
And in 2018, a list of those still listed by the food standards agency are here.