Newport Castle (Welsh: Castell Newydd or Casnewydd) is now no more than a ruin in the city of Newport, South Wales. It is the castle that gives Newport its name in Welsh, Casnewydd ('New Castle'). The 'new' is a reference to the 'old' Roman fortress in nearby Caerleon.

The castle has been practically forced out of existence due to the demands of traffic and the ever-present threat of the River Usk. Only the east side of the castle remains, sandwiched between a busy road and roundabout, and the tidal river. The ruins of the castle were permanently fenced off in 2003, followed by the closure of the public footpath in 2006.

The best view of the castle is not from the 'front' on the roadside, but rather from Newport Bridge or the neighbouring railway bridge, where its position right on the bank of the River Usk can best be appreciated. The projecting central tower with its water-gate or dock beneath is the dominant feature. Flanking it are two octagonal towers with prominent spur buttresses. These mark the north and south end of the castle, from which a curtain wall ran westwards enclosing a roughly rectangular area. Outside the curtain wall was a deep moat which filled with sea water at high tide.

Newport Castle had an active life of just 200 years and was rarely involved in political situations. It served more as an administrative base for the lordship of Wentloog. Today the castle similarly pales into insignificance. It is not technically a tourist attraction and so can only be vaguely appreciated by passers-by or seen from the nearby Riverfront Theatre.

Historians believe that Newport Castle was built between 1327 and 1386 by Hugh d’Audele, or his son-in-law Ralph, Earl of Stafford. It replaced the earlier bailey castle on Stow Hill (near St. Woolos Cathedral), which had been destroyed in battle. The newer castle, while possessing a strong structure, was never needed for military purposes. In the early fifteenth century the castle was occupied by Humphrey Stafford, the first Duke of Buckingham. After Humphrey Stafford had left the castle, it became abandoned. Now that the castle has been neglected for so long, the east side is the only part of the castle to survive.

 Website:

http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=99

 Admission Charge:-

Adult - £0, Concession - £0, Family - £0

 Hours:

Spring Opening Times:
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Autumn Opening Times:
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Winter Opening Times:
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Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.

 Facilities for the Disabled:

Disabled visitors and their assisting companion will be admitted free of charge to all monuments where an admission charge is levied. Please note that, for health reasons, dogs are not allowed on Cadw sites, but guide dogs and hearing dogs for the deaf are welcome.

A guide is available for disabled visitors to some of Cadw's most popular sites. Versions of the guide for specific sites are available in Braille by telephoning Cadw HQ (01443 336 000). The guide is best used in conjunction with Cadw site leaflets or the Cadw Map of Wales. Guidebooks are also available for many of the sites.

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