Newport

Newport's hotels and B&Bs range from familiar names like Premier Inn and Holiday Inn to smaller independent stops such as Castle Lodge Guest House and The Priory Hotel. Most cluster around the city centre, handy for the transporter bridge and the shops, though options at Llanmartin suit anyone arriving from the M4 or heading towards the Wentwood side of the county.

Golfers and those wanting a bit more space often look to Newport Links Golf Club & Resort, while pubs with rooms like The Wheatsheaf Hotel and Waverley Inn offer a simpler, more local base. Prices and styles vary enough that it's worth deciding first whether you want city convenience or a quieter edge-of-town stay.

Newport packs a lot into a compact area, from the National Roman Legion Museum and Newport Roman Villa tracing centuries of history, to Tredegar House and its parkland offering a grander slice of the past. Families tend to gravitate towards Monkey Haven, Tredegar Park Mini Golf and the arcade fun of High Score Arcades Newport, while Carisbrooke Castle gives the more historically minded a proper day out.

For something quieter, RSPB Newport Wetlands is well suited to a slow walk and a spot of birdwatching, and Seagrove Bay offers a change of pace by the water. Oddities like Morbitorium sit alongside these more traditional stops, so it's worth mixing a museum visit with something unexpected rather than sticking to one type of attraction.

Newport's dining scene runs from riverside cafes to city centre pubs, with the bulk of choice concentrated around the Usk and the main shopping streets. Cafe 89 and PC's Cafe suit a relaxed daytime stop, while Snug Coffee Shop and Costa cover the quick coffee break for those working or shopping nearby.

For something more informal, The Loading Bay makes a good pick if you're combining food with an evening out, and The Cheesecake Guy is worth seeking out for dessert. Family days often mix eating with activity, and places near Disco Bowl or Jump Adventure make that easy without much travel between the two.

Further out, options thin but reward the trip - Nant-Y-Moor Park and spots tied to Welsh Water give a quieter, more open-air feel than the city centre. Choosing between them really comes down to whether you want a proper sit-down meal or a casual bite between stops.

Newport's campsites range from small farm pitches to well-equipped touring parks, with a spread that suits both a quiet weekend under canvas and a longer stay with the family. Tredegar House Caravan and Motorhome Club Site puts you close to the historic house and its grounds, useful for those who want parkland walks and easy access into the city, while Usk View at Roman Farm offers a more rural riverside setting.

Further towards the coast, Fishguard Bay Resort and Morawelon Camping and Caravanning make good bases for exploring the Pembrokeshire coastline, with sea views and beach access nearby. Inland, Northern Hay Stables and Dyfed Shire Horse Farm bring a working farm atmosphere, appealing to those keen on horses and a slower pace, and Ty Coch Camping adds another simple, low-key option for tents and small tourers.

Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want coast or countryside, and how much you value proximity to Newport itself against a more remote, farm-based stay.

Newport isn't traditionally thought of as cottage country, but a small handful of self-catering properties give visitors a base for exploring this stretch of south Wales without relying on hotel rooms. Options here tend to suit those who want space, a kitchen of their own, and flexibility around the Transporter Bridge, the river Usk and the surrounding valleys.

High View House and the two Newport House properties on Crindau Road offer a straightforward choice between a handful of well-placed addresses close to the city centre. They work well for longer stays, family groups or anyone using Newport as a springboard into the Wentwood forest, the Vale of Usk or the wider Gwent countryside, while still keeping shops, stations and the river within easy reach.