Newport town

It’s the Isle of Wight’s county town and no visit to the Island is complete without a visit to Newport.

From its Nash-designed Guildhall to the Minster church in St Thomas’s Square, Newport has some beautiful architecture.

Add in a bunch of great tourist attractions and a healthy dining, retail and pub scene and you have a town well worth Saying Yes to during your stay on the Isle of Wight.

Things to do in Newport

Visit the pretty village of Carisbrooke, which adjoins Newport. Here you can visit Carisbrooke Castle, the Norman fortification which later held King Charles I before he was taken to London for execution by Cromwell’s forces. There are lots of events across the year at the castle.

Why not take in the imposing St Mary’s Church, Carisbrooke, which sits above the High Street.

If you like animals, then Monkey Haven at Staplers on the edge of town, is a great day out. This sanctuary has plenty of perfect primates to see. There are regular talks throughout the day and as well as monkey business there are owls, meerkats and reptiles.

If you are a culture vulture, Newport has plenty for you to see. From the Museum of Island History at the Guildhall, to the Newport Roman Villa and live performances and more at Quay Arts on the riverside.

The town centre has a long High Street with many independent shops and cafes as well as a number of chain retailers. Venture off the High Street and you will find a taste of café society in the town’s squares, while Nodehill is a haven of quirky independent shops and eateries. Holyrood Street provides a similar experience in the town centre.

Places to eat and drink in Newport

Newport has a good number of pubs, restaurants and coffee shops with locally owned establishments living cheek by jowl with several national ventures.

If you fancy a spot of fine dining then Thompson’s in South Street offers top-notch cuisine prepared by leading chef Robert Thompson and his team.

But, if pub food is more your thing, then the Bargeman’s Rest offers a wide range of pub classics in a lovely riverside setting while the Castle Inn at the top of the High Street, has a strong reputation for super meals.

Another riverside location to grab a bite and a drink is the Quay Arts café, which is a firm favourite with locals. And on the outskirts of the town, Bluebells Café at Briddleford Farm is popular for Isle of Wight-sourced breakfasts and lunches.

You can find out more about where to dine and drink in the area here.

Places to stay in Newport

Newport has a wide choice of accommodation but for historical significance it would be hard to beat The Bowling Green Apartment at Carisbrooke Castle, where King Charles I spent his final days before being executed in London.

Larger groups or anybody looking for a rural location would do worse than booking into the Island Riding Centre’s self catering cottage or safari tents.

If you are looking for something more central, then Hewitt’s Restaurant and Rooms is ideal, tucked away just off the High Street.

Alternately, the boutique One Holyrood Hotel, is again just off the town centre while the historic Wheatsheaf Hotel, is a pub and hotel in St Thomas’s Square, just across from Newport Minster.

Events in Newport

English Heritage host some fun events at Carisbooke Castle during the summer months.

Visit The Royal Isle of Wight County Show at the County Ground at Newport over a weekend in July.

Be sure to visit Newport Carnival - the colourful main procession will wind through the town throughout July and August.

Keep your eyes peeled for some big names of comedy and music coming to Medina Theatre and Quay Arts.

Tourist information

The tourist information point for Newport is situated in the South Street Southern Vectis bus station.

Getting there and getting around Newport

Newport is easily accessible on the Southern Vectis bus network and is the perfect spot to start your journey to anywhere else around the Island. Buses link to all the ferry terminals.