An often overlooked city in the UK has been tainted with titles such as being the ‘worst’ place to stay, yet a travel writer has uncovered its allure and urges everyone to visit
A travel expert has defended the UK city that has been tainted by negative views, hailing it as one of the best and highlighting its thriving independent businesses and welcoming allure.
Earlier this year, Newport was named as the “worst” place to stay in the UK following research from Go Compare, which evaluated 55 destinations across the country for their family-friendly accommodation and visitor attractions. Elsewhere, a report by the Centre for Cities this year found that Newport has one of the highest numbers of empty shops of anyone in the UK.
Such damning reports mean that the Welsh city is often overlooked by travellers looking for a place to explore. Yet, an award-winning travel writer, who dedicates much of his time to discovering hidden gems across the UK, has labelled it as one of the best cities.
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Ben Aitken, 39, loves to visit and explore British locations that are frequently dismissed by tourists, uncovering their often underappreciated charm. And Newport is one of them. “It’s punching massively below its weight in the sense that it’s got a lot going for it and people aren’t recognising that and are not taking advantage of that,” Ben exclusively told the Mirror.
“It’s peppered with these really excellent independent businesses. There are a lot of diamonds in this unfashionable place. And I can’t claim to have met all of the people that live in Newport, but I met a fair few, and each of them was friendly and welcoming.”
Having first visited in April last year, Ben said: “The first thing that struck me about Newport was its architecture. It was a boom town in the 1800s, and the legacy of its importance and significance, both industrial and civic, is still evident.
“The architecture is quite quirky; it’s not straightforwardly classic or Gothic. The high street curves and slopes in a nice way. It wasn’t buzzing, but that’s true for many towns and cities across the UK, if not the world, these days. It’s just a reality that the behaviour or habits of consumerism have changed so much.
“We no longer use high streets in the same way anymore, and when there’s no tourism in a place, that reality can appear a little unappealing, creating a quiet atmosphere. However, there are a few independent businesses that really impressed me in Newport after I wandered around for an hour.”
Ben revealed: “I had a great Italian meal at a place called Vittorio’s on the top of Stow Hill, opposite the cathedral. That’s been run by a family of third-generation Italian immigrants for about 30-40 years, as miners from Tuscany came to Newport in the 19th or early 20th century. That was a fantastic meal.
“There was also a great pub called Le Pub, which is short for Le Public space, and they do gigs and other events. It’s really relaxed, and has an inviting and quirky vibe. I chatted with the locals there and had a Trevor Nelson. It’s the local cocktail, but no one seems to know what it’s made of.
“Across the street, you’ve got a pub called Ye Olde Murenger House, and that’s about 4,000 years old. It’s the oldest and cosiest pub in Newport.” Ben added that the cafe, Rogue Fox, and fine dining restaurant at Gem 42 were other standout independent establishments in Newport.
He continued: “I also went to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, and there’s a brilliant velodrome just across the River Usk. Anybody can have a go. For about £20, they provided me with a bike, a helmet, and some instructions, and I whizzed around the velodrome for about an hour. It was the first time I’ve ever done that.
“Then I went to watch a rugby match at Rodney Parade. The pies were delicious. I didn’t really know what was going on, but it was atmospheric and meaningful.”
During his time in Newport, Ben stayed at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort, one of the country’s most renowned hotels. “It was really nice, it does what it does very well. I just wish it supported Newport city centre a little bit more by directing its guests there for dinner rather than to Cardiff or Bristol.
“I think I was the first visitor to have walked to the hotel from the train station, but I just wanted to demonstrate that you can do it.”
Ben added: “I’m not asking people to up sticks and move to Newport. I’m just asking them to consider visiting, staying over for the night, and I promise you can fill a weekend there. It has food, history, fun, and accommodation. It just goes to show that anywhere can be interesting and enjoyable if you just give it half a chance.”
You can read more about Ben’s UK travels and treasured finds in his book, Sh**y Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung Cities, which was released earlier this year. Alternatively, you can visit his Instagram page.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com