The Gate Way to Wales

Newport is a city and principal area in Wales, in the United Kingdom. It sits on the banks of the River Usk. It is a busy industrial and commercial centre. It is home to the University of Wales Newport. Newport is located on the South Eastern Coast line of Wales and is on the Cardiff border line.

The city is known as the Gateway to Wales. In 2002 the Queen granted Newport the City status it deserved in Celebration of her Golden Jubilee.

The city is known for its night-life, containing many pubs, bars and night clubs. The Stow Hill area is now more famed for its Night clubs and Bars.

Westgate Street and the rest of Newport centre are enjoyable to wander round, as many parts are free from traffic and there are excellent shopping facilities. The Kingsway Shopping Centre is a large building on several levels and includes a range of high street shops and privately-owned boutiques. Friars Walk is a Two hundred and twenty two million shopping centre in Newport city centre. The entire complex should be completed in late 2009 in time for the thousands of visitors expected to visit the city for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Newport in door Market was built in the 19th Century and has recently under gone a major refurbishment to restore it to its former glory. There are stalls selling all manner of goods from vegetables, fresh meat, and bread to music, books and creative materials.

The Transporter Bridge opened in 1906 to provide a crossing between the west and east banks of the river Usk. There are believed to be only five other bridges like this in the world. This aerial ferry allowed people to cross the river with out obstructing shipping. An unusual sight, the Transporter Bridge, is a fascinating piece of engineering and has won the Europa Nostra Heritage award.

The Incredible Deconstructing Clock is a cross between a cuckoo clock and an espresso machine. It is situated in John Frost square and it is a crazy tongue in cheek updated copy of those old mediaeval clocks with the animated skeletons. It is the only white knuckle clock in the world. Every hour on the hour it puts on a show, starting with the Devil appearing out of a hatch in the side. Then a couple of skeletons appear out of the capitals and then the top splits open and the columns go wonky.