Newport city centre facts for kids
Newport city centre is the busy heart of Newport, Wales. It sits on the west side of the River Usk. This area is bordered by the George Street Bridge and the South Wales Main Line railway. Much of the city centre is part of special "conservation areas." This means its history and unique look are protected.
Exploring Newport City Centre
The main street for shopping is Commercial Street. It runs north to south, connecting the city's core to the Newport Docks. These streets were planned in 1807 to link the growing docks with the main roads.
Key Areas and Landmarks
The area between Commercial Street and the river used to have railway lines and wharves. After these were removed in the 1960s, John Frost Square and Kingsway Shopping Centre were built. This whole area was later redeveloped into the Friars Walk shopping and leisure complex, which opened in 2015.
Westgate Square: The Heart of the City
Towards the north of the city centre is Westgate Square. It's named after the Westgate Hotel. Five roads meet here: Commercial Street, Stow Hill, Bridge Street, High Street, and Skinner Street. Many people see this as the very centre of Newport.
Chartist Tower: Newport's Tallest Building
On Upper Dock Street, you'll find the Chartist Tower. This 15-storey building was built in 1966. It is the tallest building in Newport. It used to be an office block. In 2017, plans were made to turn it into a 163-room Mercure hotel.
Historic Buildings and Arcades
From Bridge Street, two roads, High Street and Cambrian Road, run side-by-side towards Newport railway station. Connecting these two roads is the Victorian Newport Arcade. This is a covered walkway with shops. To the east of High Street is Newport Market, a historic building.
Riverfront and Sports
Kingsway/Usk Way is a wide road along the west bank of the River Usk. It links Newport Castle, the Riverfront Theatre, and the University of South Wales. The city centre is growing to include areas on the east bank of the river. New plans show a strong urban design along the river, with tall, noticeable buildings.
Newport's main sports stadium, Rodney Parade, is on the east bank of the River Usk. It's a short walk from the city centre. You can get there by crossing Newport Bridge or the Newport City footbridge.
Businesses in the City Centre
Many businesses that are not shops are located on Bridge Street. For example, in 2014, Admiral Insurance opened a large new office building. It is located right opposite Newport railway station.
Shopping in Newport
Newport's shops are mainly found along the pedestrianised High Street and Commercial Street. The Friars Walk shopping and leisure complex is a major shopping area. It is linked by John Frost Square to the Kingsway Shopping Centre. These are the main indoor shopping spots.
Friars Walk: Shopping and Fun
Friars Walk is a large shopping centre. It has many levels and is partly covered. You can find lots of high street shops here. It also has places to eat, a cinema, a bowling alley, and a soft play area for younger kids.
Kingsway Shopping Centre
Kingsway Shopping Centre is an indoor shopping centre. It also has a car park with over 1000 spaces. It offers a mix of well-known shops and smaller, local stores. It is connected to Newport Museum, Art Gallery, and the Central Library. The centre was updated in 2008. It is also very close to Newport bus station.
Cambrian Centre
The Cambrian Centre is a smaller shopping area on Cambrian Road. It houses several units, including a Wetherspoon's pub called the John Wallace Linton. There have been plans to redevelop this area. The first part of this plan, Admiral House, opened in 2014.
