Newport brings together the coast, river landscapes and history. Newport Sands lies at the mouth of the River Nevern, and several named trails showcase different landscapes and conditions. This gives you a choice of different ways to spend your stay: water sports on the beach, trails with their own character and historic sites. Tides play a specific role on some trails and at a river crossing.

Coast, beach and tides

Newport Sands is a broad, long beach at the mouth of the River Nevern, popular with a range of water sports enthusiasts. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the beach from late June to early September. Bear this period in mind if the patrols are relevant to your beach plans.

At Newport Parrog Beach, the Coast Path passes the old lifeboat house and crosses a causeway of slate slabs laid in a herringbone pattern. Near the yacht club, visitors can wade across the river from Newport Parrog Beach to Newport Sands; this crossing depends on the tide. Parrog therefore offers both a coastal path with distinctive structural features and a tide-dependent crossing.

Trails with different characteristics

The Newport Town and Estuary trail is 1.6 miles (2.7 km) long, easily accessible and follows paved, level paths with views of the estuary. By contrast, the Newport Parrog to Cwm trail can only be walked at low tide. Different considerations determine which of the two to choose: the Newport Town and Estuary trail is defined by its length and path surface, while the Newport Parrog to Cwm trail depends on the tides. Check the tides before planning the walk to Cwm.

The Llwybr Pwll Cornel follows the River Nyfer through oak woodland and meadows. Unlike the views of the estuary on the Newport Town and Estuary trail, here the focus is on the river, woodland and meadows. The two trails therefore also differ in the landscapes described.

There are no facilities between Newport Sands and Poppit on the Newport to St Dogmaels route. Factor this section into your preparations if you are planning this specific route.

When making plans around the tides, it is worth considering each activity separately: low tide is essential for the Newport Parrog to Cwm trail, while the crossing from Parrog to Newport Sands is also tide-dependent. Check the tide for the activity in question rather than automatically assuming the same timing applies to both.

History from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages

Newport's Memorial Hall houses a medieval pottery kiln excavated in 2017 and thought to be the oldest surviving kiln of its kind in Britain. The Neolithic burial chamber of Carreg Coetan Arthur is located near the Newport Millennium Trail. Together, the two sites bring very different periods into focus: a Neolithic burial chamber and medieval craftsmanship. They add a distinct cultural history theme to the coastal and landscape topics.

William Fitzmartin founded Newport in 1197; he is also believed to have built Newport's first castle beside the riverbank. The town's founding and the possible construction of the castle are therefore two different aspects of Newport's medieval history.

Discover more destinations: Solva, Crymych, Haverfordwest, Castlemartin, Roch, Abercastle, Templeton, Penally

For the main travel overview: Pembrokeshire.