Newport Group Travel Guide

Blaenau Gwent

Blaenavon

Bridgend

Caerphilly

Cardiff

Merthyr Tydfil

Monmouthshire

Newport

Rhondda Cynon Taf www.visitsouthernwales.org Vale of Glamorgan Contents 04 06

Regional Overview Attractions 08 10 12

Activities Accommodation Refreshment Stops

13 15

Explore Newport Event Highlights

16 17 18

Maps & Travel Coach Parking Tour Guides Information

Newport 3

Hello… Shwd Mae…. Bonjour….. Guten Tag…. Hallo… Dia duit Welcome (or Croeso as we prefer to say) to Southern You may already have an idea what to expect from a trip to Southern Wales.

We are split into ten distinctive areas, each with their own character and charm. The areas of Blaenau Gwent, Blaenavon, , Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf are well known for their history and heritage, whilst Discover Newport It is one of only six transporter bridges nearby is more rural still operational worldwide. You can It is one of Wales’ newest cities, but take a walk across the top or glide and famed for its fabulous food Newport also has an intriguing past. and drink. Newport and are across the river on the suspended In fact, it’s a past that stretches all the gondola underneath. thriving cities with some world class way back to Roman times and beyond. attractions whilst along Bridgend The river was once home to one of and the Vale of Glamorgan is a mix In the nearby small town of the biggest ports in the world. Beneath of coastal resorts, market towns and For more information visit our website lie the remains of Isca, once the base these waters a great secret was unveiled fabulous countryside. www.visitsouthernwales.org for over 5000 Roman soldiers. The in 2002, when The Newport Ship, a barracks, amphitheatre and baths are or contact the tourism team: 15th century vessel, was discovered We have plenty of castles and museums still visible today whilst the National submerged in the river bank. Now but we also have a National Park, the tel - +44 (0)1633 233663 Roman Legion Museum brings the email - [email protected] in the process of being preserved start of the and an story together. New interpretation and renovated, visitors can see for Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To order group travel brochures for other areas and digital technologies have brought themselves the work that’s underway. of Southern Wales please contact the garrison back to life. The best bit is We also have some things you may +44 (0)845 6002639 or e-mail that they’re all free to enter. The continues down to the not associate with us. There are the [email protected] Gwent Levels, where you will find the remains of a Roman amphitheatre and Elsewhere in the town, the Ffwrwm Arts . The nature reserve barracks, vineyards producing award and Crafts centre is a popular location is a haven for wildlife on the banks of

Rhondda Cynon Taf winning wine and a great big sculpture, Bridgend County Cardiff and there is wide variety of cafes and Blaenavon Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide the . Group Travel Guide Blaenau Gwent restaurants to grab a bite to eat. There’s soaring 20 metres into the sky and Group Travel Guide

Newport Caerphilly A short drive away is the National Monmouthshire plenty of free coach parking too. standing guard over the Valleys below. Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Vale of Glamorgan Merthyr Tydfil Group Travel Guide Group Travel Guide Blaenau Gwent Group Travel Guide Blaenau Gwent Trust’s House. For over 500 Blaenavon Blaenau Gwent Blaenavon Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Blaenavon Bridgend Blaenavon Caerphilly Bridgend From Caerleon, follow the River Usk Caerphilly Bridgend Cardiff Blaenau Gwent Caerphilly Cardiff years it was the grand home of the Caerphilly Each of our areas has its own guide. Merthyr Tydfil Bridgend Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Cardiff Monmouthshire Caerphilly Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil Monmouthshire Newport down into to see Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Newport Monmouthshire Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Rhondda Cynon Taf Newport Newport Rhondda Cynon Taf Blaenau Gwent aristocratic Morgan Family. Hear the Newport So have a flick through this one and Blaenau Gwent Blaenavon Blaenavon Vale of Glamorgan e4438 Cardiff Council artwork for SW RhonddaGuide v3.indd Cynon 1 Taf Blaenavon Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf Vale of Glamorgan Blaenavon Bridgend Blaenau Gwent Bridgendwww.visitsouthernwales.orgwww.visitsouthernwales.org 18/09/2015 17:04 Vale of Glamorgan Bridgend Vale of Glamorgan Bridgendwww.visitsouthernwales.org Caerphilly Caerphilly Blaenavon the city’s Transporter Bridge. At over Caerphilly Caerphilly www.visitsouthernwales.org Cardiff Cardiff Bridgend Cardiff tales of what the family got up to on a then take a look at the companion Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil Caerphilly Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil www.visitsouthernwales.org Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Cardiff Monmouthshire Monmouthshire Newport Newport Merthyr Tydfil 240 feet high, you won’t miss it. Newport Newport Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf Monmouthshire fascinating tour of the house. brochures and before long you’ll be Rhondda Cynon Taf Rhondda Cynon Taf Vale of Glamorgan Vale of Glamorgan Newport Vale of Glamorgan www.visitsouthernwales.org Vale of Glamorgan www.visitsouthernwales.org www.visitsouthernwales.org Rhondda Cynon Taf planning your trip to Southern Wales. www.visitsouthernwales.org Vale of Glamorgan www.visitsouthernwales.org www.newport.gov.uk/visiting

4 www.visitsouthernwales.org Newport 5 Attractions ROMAN FORTRESS town of Caerleon

A new city with a fascinating past. Discover the history of Newport, all the way up from Roman to industrial times.

Caerleon Roman Fortress Baths Canal Centre

Caerleon was one of the most See the unique Dadford flight important military sites in Britain of locks, and trace the history of under the Roman Empire. It was the importance of the canal to the home to over 5000 soldiers and the Valleys. with an amphitheatre, baths, Visitor centre, tea room and The most varied and fascinating Roman site in Britain. shops and temples. Free entry. parking. Monthly guided walks. Free entry. Visit the National Roman Legion Museum, the Fortress Baths, the Amphitheatre and the only visible barracks block in Europe. A great destination for groups.

tel: +44 (0)1633 422518 tel: +44 (0)1633 894802 Free entry to all attractions, free coach parking, choice of refreshment email: [email protected] email: [email protected] venues all within easy level walking distance, arts and crafts mews. web: www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/Caerleon-roman-fortress-baths web: www.fourteenlocks.mbact.org.uk

National Roman Legion Museum Newport Transporter Bridge www.newport.gov.uk/caerleon [email protected] +44(0)1633 233663 #VisitNP The museum tells the story of Soaring 242 feet into the sky, this the small town that was once is a fun and novel way to cross one of the furthest outposts of the River Usk. Ride across on the the Roman Empire. Hear what suspended gondola and, if you’ve made the Romans a formidable got a head for heights, climb the force and see the exhibitions tower and walk across the high and exhibits which show how level gantry – you’ll be greeted they lived and worked. Free entry. b