Newport, Isle of Wight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newport |
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 St Thomas' Church, set within St Thomas's Square |
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 Newport
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| Area | 6.747 km2 (2.605 sq mi) |
| Population | 25,407 (2021 census) |
| • Density | 3,766/km2 (9,750/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SZ502893 |
| • London | 90.26 miles |
| Civil parish |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWPORT |
| Postcode district | PO30 |
| Dialling code | 01983 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Isle of Wight |
| Ambulance | Isle of Wight |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Newport is a cool town on the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England. It's like the main city of the island! You can find it a bit north of the island's center. Newport sits in the area called Newport and Carisbrooke. It has a special dock, or quay, where the River Medina begins to be wide enough for boats. This river flows north all the way to Cowes and the Solent sea channel. In 2021, about 25,407 people lived here.
Contents
Newport's Past: A Journey Through Time
Ancient Times: Neanderthals and Romans
Did you know people lived here a very long time ago? Tools made by Neanderthals were found in the 1970s. These tools are at least 40,000 years old!
Later, the Romans settled in this area. They probably called it Medina. You can still see signs of their time here. Two Roman villas have been found. One of them, Newport Roman Villa, has been dug up and you can even visit it today!
Medieval Newport: Fires and Treaties
We learn more about Newport after the Normans arrived. Newport got its first official document, called a charter, in the late 1100s.
In 1377, French soldiers attacked and burned down much of the town. They were trying to capture Carisbrooke Castle. Some French soldiers were caught and killed. They were buried in a mound called Noddies Hill. "Noddy" was old slang for a body. This name later changed to Nodehill, which is a part of central Newport today. It's funny because the area is actually flat!
The English Civil War and Royal Connections
In 1648, King Charles I met with Parliament's leaders in Newport. They tried to make a deal to end the English Civil War. This was called the Treaty of Newport. But the king was also secretly talking to the French and Scots for help.
When Oliver Cromwell returned after winning a big battle, he rejected the treaty. This led to King Charles I being executed.
Newport Becomes a Borough
Newport officially became a borough in 1608. Because it was a good place for trade and close to the sea, it quickly grew. It became more important than nearby Carisbrooke, which eventually became a part of Newport.
The borough of Newport stopped existing in 1974. It became part of a larger area called the Borough of Medina. Then, in 1995, the Isle of Wight Council took over running the whole island.
Modern Changes in Newport
Since the 1960s, Newport has changed a lot. It has new shops and a central square where only people can walk. Cars are not allowed on many of the narrow streets anymore.
The Newport Quay area has also been updated. Old warehouses have been turned into art galleries, like the Quay Arts Centre, and new apartments.
Newport's Location and Travel
Where is Newport?
Newport is right in the middle of the Isle of Wight. It's the main town on the island. You can easily get to all the other big towns on the island from Newport using public transport. It's the main place for shopping and public services.
The main roads, the A3020 and A3054, meet as Medina Way. This is between two busy roundabouts at Coppins Bridge and St Mary's Hospital.
Past and Present Transport
Newport railway station used to be the main hub for the island's trains. But it closed in 1966. Now, the dual-carriageway A3020 Medina Way runs where the station used to be.
The closest big city to Newport is Portsmouth, which is about 13 miles (21 km) northeast. On the island, Ryde is the largest town and is to the northeast. Sandown and Shanklin are to the east, and Cowes is to the north.
The River Medina
The River Medina flows through Newport. North of where it meets the Lukely Brook at the town's quay, it becomes a tidal river. This means the water level changes with the tides, and boats can travel on it.
How Far to Other Towns?
Here's how far Newport is from some other places:
- Cowes – 4.5 miles (7 km)
- East Cowes – 5 miles (8 km)
- Ryde – 7 miles (11 km)
- Shanklin – 9 miles (15 km)
- Sandown – 10 miles (16 km)
- Ventnor – 11 miles (18 km)
- Yarmouth, Isle of Wight – 10 miles (16 km)
Prisons in Newport
The area of Parkhurst in Newport has two prisons for men. They are called Parkhurst Prison and Albany. Together, they form HMP Isle of Wight, which is one of the biggest prisons in the UK. Parkhurst and Albany were once among the most secure prisons in the country. Another prison, Camp Hill, was also in the area but closed in 2013.
Things to Do in Newport
Music and Museums
Seaclose Park in Newport is on the east side of the River Medina. Since 2002, it has been the home of the famous Isle of Wight Music Festival. This big music event happens once a year.
Newport also has the Postal Museum. It might be the largest private collection of old postal equipment and post boxes in the world!
Bus Station
Newport bus station is the main place for buses in the town. It's the central hub for the Southern Vectis bus network. Buses from all over the island come to this station.
Sports in Newport
St George's Park is where Newport Football Club plays. They are the most successful football team on the island. The stadium can hold 3,000 people. A new stadium for the team is planned near Newport. This will allow St George's Park to become a shopping area.
Newport also has a cricket club called Newport Cricket Club. They play at Victoria recreation ground. The main Isle of Wight County Cricket Ground is at Newclose, just outside of town.
Media: News and Entertainment
You can get local news and TV shows from BBC South and ITV Meridian. TV signals come from the Rowridge TV transmitter, which is southwest of town.
For radio, you can listen to BBC Radio Solent (96.1 FM), Heart South (97.5 FM), and Capital South (103.2 FM). There are also local community stations like Vectis Radio (104.6 FM) and Isle of Wight Radio (102.0 FM).
Local newspapers include the Isle of Wight County Press, Isle of Wight Observer, and Island Echo.
Schools in Newport
Newport and the nearby village of Carisbrooke have many schools. There are seven primary schools, three secondary schools, a sixth-form campus, a college, and two special schools.
Primary schools near the town center are Newport C of E Primary and Nine Acres Community Primary. Barton Primary and Summerfields Primary are on the east side of town. Hunnyhill Primary is to the north. In Carisbrooke, you'll find Carisbrooke C of E Primary and St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary.
The three secondary schools are Carisbrooke College, Medina College, and Christ the King College. The Island Innovation VI Form Campus is for students aged 16-18 from Carisbrooke and Medina colleges. It's located in the town center.
The Isle of Wight College is north of the town center. Medina House School and St Georges School are special schools in the area.
How Newport is Governed
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Newport's Place in Parliament
For many years, Newport had two representatives in the House of Commons. Between 1807 and 1811, two future prime ministers represented Newport: Arthur Wellesley (who became the Duke of Wellington) and Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston.
Later, in the 1820s, two more future prime ministers were MPs for Newport. George Canning was an MP for Newport when he became Prime Minister in 1827. Also, the Hon. William Lamb, who later became Viscount Melbourne, was an MP for Newport.
Newport's number of representatives in Parliament was cut to one in 1867. Then, in 1885, it stopped being a separate area for Parliament. It was part of the Isle of Wight area until 2024. Now, it belongs to the Isle of Wight West area.
Local Government in Newport
Newport has had different ways of being governed locally:
- Until 1974, Newport had its own local government, Newport Borough Council.
- From 1974 to 1995, Newport was part of the Medina Borough Council.
- In 1995, the Isle of Wight Council took over. This council is based at County Hall.
- In 2006, a Newport Town Management Committee was set up. This group advised the Isle of Wight Council.
- The first election for the Newport Parish Council happened on May 1, 2008. This council now helps manage the town.
Famous People from Newport
Many interesting people have connections to Newport:
- Sir Thomas Fleming (1544–1613) was a judge in the trial of Guy Fawkes.
- Elizabeth Stuart (1635–1650), who was the daughter of King Charles I, is buried at St. Thomas' Church.
- Henry Sewell (1807–1879) was the very first Prime Minister of New Zealand!
- William Buckler (1814–1884) was an artist who painted portraits and studied insects. He was born and lived here.
- Anthony Minghella (1954–2008) was a famous film director.
- Phill Jupitus (born 1962) is a well-known comedian.
- Kelly Sotherton (born 1976) is an athlete who competed in the heptathlon.
- Keegan Brown (born 1992) is a professional darts player.
See also
In Spanish: Newport (isla de Wight) para niños
