WHY?

Newport sits on the wild and beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, offering breath taking views of both the sea and the Preseli Hills. This charming town with its quaint fisherman’s cottages dotted along picturesque streets is small enough to feel like a true escape, but still full of life with independent shops, art galleries, and an impressive range of cafés and restaurants. One of Newport’s biggest selling points is its proximity to Newport Sands—a sandy, mile-long beach that’s ideal for walks, swimming, and surfing. Plus, with the Pembrokeshire Coast Path nearby, you’ll never run out of scenic walks to enjoy. Although Newport feels wonderfully remote, it’s still accessible with good transport links to nearby Fishguard and Cardigan, and not too far from Haverfordwest for all the necessities.

EAT

Newport might be small, but it’s packed with fantastic places to eat. For breakfast with a sea view, try The Cat Rock Café, located in Newport Links Golf Club, a 3-minute walk from Newport beach with stunning views of Cardigan Bay. For something special, we love Llys Meddyg, a hotel and restaurant which serves up fresh, seasonal dishes with a foraged twist, using ingredients from the Welsh coastline, hedgerows, and their own garden. And if you fancy something a little more casual, Blas at Fronlas is perfect for a cosy lunch or an afternoon tea made from local ingredients. For great local lobster and crab, try Tides Kitchen and Winebar or The Sailors’ Safety, a former smugglers’ pub dating back to 1593, which is right on Pwllgwaelod Beach and it serves seafood-focused delights and is a popular stop for walkers on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. 

SHOP

Shopping in Newport is all about supporting local and finding unique treasures. You’ll find a range of independent shops like Newport Collective, a co-op gallery and shop featuring work from local artists and makers. For fresh produce, Newport’s weekly Farmers Market is a go-to for local cheeses, organic vegetables, and artisan goods. And, of course, there are small boutiques offering everything from Welsh woollen blankets to quirky coastal gifts. Drop in to Ffynnon home store for lovely gifts or browse in the Carningli Centre which has a unique mix of antiques, railway memorabilia, a local art gallery, and a large second-hand bookshop.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

If you’re into fitness and wellbeing, Newport has you covered. Coastal walks are an obvious choic, but there’s also Newport Sands Golf Club, with sweeping views of the coastline as you tee off. For yoga enthusiasts, check out Tŷ Canol Woods nearby for outdoor yoga classes with breath taking forest views. For any activities on the water from sailing to kayaking, join the Newport Boat Club. It’s also the prefect venue for watching the brilliant Welsh sunsets if nothing else. There are also breath-taking hiking trips galore in the Pembrokeshire coast national park. 

COMMUNITY

Community spirit runs deep in Newport, and nowhere is that clearer than at Havards Store. This charming ironmongers, a staple of the town since the 1800s, faced closure in 2021 when the owner couldn’t find a buyer. But the locals weren’t having it. The community rallied together, organising a public meeting where the idea of a buyout was met with unanimous support. Over £260,000 was pledged on the spot to save this beloved shop. Fast forward, and a whopping £445,000 was raised through a share offer, with extra funding from the Community Ownership Fund. Thanks to this incredible effort, Havards is not only still open but thriving.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

You can’t talk about Newport without mentioning the natural beauty surrounding it. Besides Newport Sands beach, you’ve got the Pembrokeshire Coast Path right on your doorstep—ideal for coastal walks with jaw-dropping views. For history buffs, there’s the Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, an ancient neolithic monument just a short drive away. If you’re into wildlife, head to the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve for birdwatching, or go dolphin-spotting at Cardigan Bay.

CULTURE

Newport has a strong (some say ‘hippy’) creative community, and it shows in its cultural offerings. The Newport Memorial Hall regularly hosts art exhibitions, live music, and theatre productions. Nearby, Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard offers everything from indie films to live performances, perfect for a night out. 

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

Newport’s idyllic setting does come with a price tag. The overall average price is £448,692. The majority of sales were detached properties, selling for £556,625. Semi-detached homes sold for an average of £341,667, with terraced houses fetching £177,500.

HOT PROPERTY

NURSERIES

Tiny Tots Childcare is a long-standing favourite in Newport and offers exceptional care for children ages 0-5 yrs in a bright, spacious environment. Chuckles Nursery – located in Bettws, is big on outdoor play and hands-on activities and is rated as excellent in the rankings.

NURSERIES

Young families be warned, there’s no nursery in Newport itself, so you’ll need to whizz 6.5miles to Fishguard where you’ll find Playdays Childcare (rated Good), offering full and half day care from 8am-6pm,plus a holiday club.

SCHOOLS

Newport is popular with families thanks to its excellent local schools. Ysgol Bro Ingli is the local primary school, and it’s highly rated by parents for its warm, inclusive atmosphere and great teaching. For secondary education, students often head to Ysgol y Preseli in nearby Crymych, which offers strong academic results and a vibrant school community. For private options, check out the Steiner school Nant-y-Cwm.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Newport’s mystical Preseli mountains tower over the town and often wrapped in a mystical mist. These hills, dotted with ancient woodlands and stone circles, have been places of ceremony and inspiration for centuries, continuing to fuel the creativity of local artists today. Legend has it, if you spend a night on Carningli mountain which dominates the skyline (and means ‘mountain of the angels’), you’ll either become a poet – or lose your mind.

COMMUTE

Newport might feel a world away from the hustle and bustle, but it’s still well-connected. Fishguard Harbour, just 15 mins away, has trains linking to Cardiff and London, and regular bus services make getting around the region easy. Driving to Cardiff takes about 2 hrs, making it a viable option for remote workers who occasionally need to head into the city.

View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.

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