Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Friday 5th September 2008

Newport Castle

South west Wales

Castell Drefdraeth/Newport castle in summertime, © ceridwen - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Sandwiched between a busy road and the River Usk, Newport Castle has occupied a commanding position since the 13th century.

Though it served more as a baronial seat than a defensive fortress, the castle was built in an imposing medieval style with a fearsome central tower. The ravages of baronial politics (the last owner was beheaded in the 16th century) and more recent road-building mean that only a small part of the original castle survives today.

Nonetheless, the castle is easily accessible from the town centre and the railway station.

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