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  1. Things to do in Newport
  2. Places to stay
  3. Getting there

Newport

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  4. Guide to Newport, Isle of Wight

Your guide to Newport

As the Isle of Wight’s capital town, Newport is a hub of activity with a wealth of things to do and places to stay.

Found in the heart of the Diamond Isle and set right on the River Medina, it’s a historic town with beautiful architecture and a bustling high street.

It’s perhaps most famous for being the home of one of the UK’s biggest music events, Isle of Wight Festival, which is held every summer, typically in June.

The town centre is full of popular pubs and restaurants as well as a Cineworld cinema, showing the latest film releases.

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The Guildhall, Newport, at night

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Things to do in NewportPlaces to stayGetting there

Things to do in Newport

Newport and its adjoining villages offer a perfect blend of history, culture and fun, family-friendly things to do.

As well as the typical high-street retail outlets, the town also hosts a number of independent gift shops, coffee houses and eateries.

Find three of our favourite places to visit in Newport and the surrounding areas below.

Carisbrooke Castle walkway under turrets

Carisbrooke Castle

Found in the pretty village of Carisbrooke, this castle has a rich and varied history, serving as an artillery fortress, a king’s prison and a royal summer residence.

Today, it’s an English Heritage site with stunning panoramic views out across the Island and it’s home to the famous Carisbooke donkeys, who demonstrate what it was like to work the castle’s 16th-century tread wheel.

Carisbrooke Castle
A monkey swings from rope at Monkey Haven

Monkey Haven

An award-winning primate rescue centre, Monkey Haven is a great place to visit for animal-lovers.

Alongside monkeys, you’ll also find owls, meerkats, reptiles and insects on site. Talks go on throughout the day, diving into the personalities, traits and history behind some of the Haven’s most-loved residents.

Monkey Haven
Outside decking at Quay Arts

Quay Arts

An art gallery, events venue and café all rolled into one, Quay Arts is situated in a converted 19th century brewery warehouse at the head of the River Medina.

From comedy to theatre shows, the venue host a full range of events alongside regular art exhibitions across the whole year. Pop in for a bite to eat and drink and tour their galleries for free.

Quay Arts

Places to stay

If you’re planning to explore the entire Isle of Wight during your stay, there’s no better base than in and around Newport.

Centrally-located and only a half hour’s drive to the most easterly and westerly Island points, it’s the ideal place to rest for any fun-packed itinerary.

Below, we’ve rounded up three of our favourite accommodation options in the area.

Galahad Helicopter, at Windmill Campersite, Isle of Wight

Windmill Campersite

A truly unique place to stay, this glamping site can be found just south of Newport near Carisbrooke Castle.

Among a plethora of quirky camping options you’ll find an original Falklands rescue helicopter, a prop submarine from James Bond and a milk float.

Windmill Campersite
Accommodation at the Lakes Rookley overlooking the water

Lakes Rookley

An Away Resorts holiday park that is perfect for a family vacation, the Lakes Rookley is situated to the south of Newport, about a ten-minute drive from the town centre.

It has all the amenities you could ever need on site, including an indoor and outdoor pool, restaurant and entertainment lounge.

The Lakes Rookley
The living room at the Newport Quay Hotel

Newport Quay Hotel

Right in the heart of Newport, only a five minute walk from the bus station, this family-run B&B has 12 tastefully-decorated rooms.

As a 17th century Grade II listed building, it oozes charm and character and each stay comes with bed and breakfast every morning.

Newport Quay hotel
A Wight Class ferry waits at the Wightlink ferry port in Fishbourne

Getting there

Thanks to its central location, Newport is probably the most connected town on the Isle of Wight. It’s home to a large bus station that serves every major town on the Island and it’s easy to reach by car from each of our ports.

If you’re bringing your vehicle across, you can reach Newport in around 20 minutes from either our Yarmouth or Fishbourne ports. Choose our Lymington – Yarmouth route if travelling from the west of England and pick Portsmouth – Fishbourne if travelling from London or the east.

Travelling on foot? We’d recommend using our FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour which will take you to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. From there, you can catch a regular bus into Newport town centre.

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