Newport, the County Town of the Isle of Wight, England
Newport is the county town of the Isle of Wight, England. It is found a little to the north of the centre of the island, at the source of the River Medina, a river that runs through the town. Portsmouth is the nearest city to the town. It is around 13 miles north-east on Portsea Island next to the main island. Other contiguous towns are Cowes to the North, Shanklin and Sandown to the east and Ryde to the north-east.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Newport
Since the 1960s, the town has acquired new shopping facilities, a pedestrian-only central square and roads with through traffic diverted from many of the narrow streets. The Newport Quay, a 17th-century establishment in the heart of town, underwent a rejuvenation to contain old warehouses converted into new flats and art galleries including the Quay Arts Center. Within walking distance from the Quay is a large selection of restaurants and bars. In and around town there is an interesting mix of independent stores and traditional chains while the town square hosts regular markets for the shopaholics.
Things to See and Do in Newport
Considered the principal town on the Isle of Wight, there is a vast range of things to see and do in Newport. There is the Queen Victoria Memorial which was designed by Percy Stone, a local architect. And there is also the Postal Museum, housing what is considered the world’s largest private collection of vintage post boxes and postal equipment. Seaclose Park which is found on the east bank of the River Median has been the location of the revised annual Isle of Wight Music Festival since 2002. The Roman Villa and Carisbrooke Castle also offer a wealth of heritage and history.