Newport & Cardiff

[syesmar]

For those who have previously been in port at Newport, Wales: what is the mode of transport to Cardiff? Is there a courtesy shuttle, or are we to find our own way?

 

Trying to book a rail ticket to Bath and don't know if I should return to Newport or Cardiff, as I still want to see Cardiff, time permitting. I know that rail tickets are much cheaper purchased in advance.

 

Thanks!

[newport dave]

I live in Newport, as you can tell by my name. Never known any cruise ships to dock here, or where they would dock. What ship and itinerary are you on.

 

Also wouldn't have thought you'd be able to get to Bath and back, and still be able to have a look around Cardiff in one day, then get to Newport.

 

There's plenty to see and do around and in Cardiff itself. If you can confirm you're actually stopping in Newport or Cardiff, then I can make a few suggestions for you.

[syesmar]

Yes, it's really Newport! I'll be aboard the Prinsendam, which is smaller than the average ship.

 

Thanks so much for being willing to share your thoughts!

[Chester & Brewster]

Newport to Bath takes about an hour on the train, so depending on your time available you could go Newport - Bath, Bath - Cardiff & then Cardiff to Newport on the train. Personally I think that might be cutting it a bit tight, and (as much as it grates me to agree with a Saints fan ;)) I'd agree with newport dave & stick with a day in Cardiff, it's a great city. My OH is originally from Newport (and no, he's never seen a cruise ship dock there either!) & we always head for Cardiff whenever we're visiting his folks.

If you desperately want to go to Bath, then go for it, but both in one day is a tall order. How long are you in port for?

[Host Sharon]

May I ask when you are calling at Newport? I live just opposite the other side of the Bristol Channel and would love to see the Prinsendam sail in.

[jasl]

May I ask when you are calling at Newport? I live just opposite the other side of the Bristol Channel and would love to see the Prinsendam sail in.

 

Monday, July 13 the Prinsendam will be in Newport, She will be there from 1100hrs till 2000hrs. Just in case she is ahead of schedule, start looking at 10 o'clock.

[newport dave]

Monday, July 13 the Prinsendam will be in Newport, She will be there from 1100hrs till 2000hrs. Just in case she is ahead of schedule, start looking at 10 o'clock.

 

I'm in work that day, but might pop down after work to take a look. I'll try a post a list of things to do in and around Cardiff.

 

Still a bit mystified why you're docking in Newport for Cardiff, when Cardiff docks are a lot bigger. I'd have thought they should provide shuttles to Cardiff, as it's a good 30-40 mins on a bus into the centre of Cardiff depending on traffic. Taxi's would cost in the region of £16 - £20 each way using Newport taxis. Cardiff taxis would probably cost from £20 - £30 each way.

[Host Sharon]

Monday, July 13 the Prinsendam will be in Newport, She will be there from 1100hrs till 2000hrs. Just in case she is ahead of schedule, start looking at 10 o'clock.

 

 

Thanks - that's the day after I get back from QM2. I too will be at work in the morning, but will go down to watch her sail out.

[syesmar]

Thanks for the advice! I have Emailed both the port authority and Cardiff visitor's centre to see if shuttle service will be available.

 

More questions for the locals: I see that a one-way train fare between Cardiff & Newport is only 3.5 GBP and takes 13 minutes. How close is the railway station to the pier in Newport? Additionally, on UK rail, if you miss your train, are you able to take the next one without penalty?

 

THANKS so much!

[newport dave]

Thanks for the advice! I have Emailed both the port authority and Cardiff visitor's centre to see if shuttle service will be available.

 

More questions for the locals: I see that a one-way train fare between Cardiff & Newport is only 3.5 GBP and takes 13 minutes. How close is the railway station to the pier in Newport? Additionally, on UK rail, if you miss your train, are you able to take the next one without penalty?

 

THANKS so much!

 

Looking on Google Maps can only see one place you might dock, and thats an inner docks area just by the mouth of the Severn. That is approx 3 miles to train station, from the looks of it, it's a working industrial docks so there probably won't be any waiting taxis unless HAL arrange something.

 

As long as you don't book a ticket for a specific train, then you can get on any. Best thing to do is just buy it at Newport station, as it won't be anymore expensive than buying online. The time you're arriving the station will be pretty quiet so it won't be a problem buying a ticket.

[bigwally]

I'm sure newport_dave would concur that there is tons of stuff to see in the Gwent area if you don't want to risk a trip to Bath.

[newport dave]

Cardiff City Centre

 

Cardiff Castle in the city centre - http://www.cardiffcastle.com/

 

National Museum and Gallery - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/cardiff/

plus plenty of architecture in the Civic Area of Cardiff by the above Museum inc. Law Courts, Cardiff University, City Hall.

 

Bute Park (next to castle) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bute_Park

 

Cardiff HOHO Bus ( operates from outside the castle) - http://www.partner.viator.com/en/2672/tours/Europe/Cardiff-City-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d6-2065CWL

 

Wales Millennium Stadium - http://www.millenniumstadium.com/197_211.php

 

 

Cardiff Bay, where you can find the

 

Wales Millennium Centre (spectacular modern building) - http://www.wmc.org.uk/,

 

Senedd (Welsh Assmebly, pronounced Seneth)(again another spectacular modern building) - http://www.assemblywales.org/sen-home.htm ,

 

Norwegian Church Arts Centre - http://members.lycos.co.uk/NorwegianChurch2/Cardiff.html

 

Techniquest - http://www.techniquest.org/start/

plus loads of restaurants and bars.

 

 

Outskirts of Cardiff

 

National Museum of Welsh Life (my favourite dayout in Cardiff) (will need taxi to reach) - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/

 

Llandaff Cathedral - http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/

 

The following sites list the above plus extra stuff in the area and further afield - http://www.cardifflife.net/cardiffthingstodo.html

http://www.walesinstyle.com/things_to_do_in_cardiff.aspx

http://www.thingstodo.net/cardiff/cardiff-places-of-interest/

http://wales-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/things_to_do_in_cardiff

 

 

Newport

 

Tredegar House Stately Home - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.tredegarhouse

 

Fourteen Locks - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.tredegarhouse

 

Newport Wetlands Reserve - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=thingstosee.naturereserves

 

Caerleon (site of Roman remains) - http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=caerleon.homepage

 

 

Outside of Newport

 

Blaenavon World Heritage Site - http://www.world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk/

[syesmar]

THANKS a bunch for the links! That was very nice & those of us visiting really appreciate it! I had previously only visited www.visitcardiff.com so I'll be sure to take a look at these new links!

[bigwally]

Yeah, what he said. The Big Pit is especially worth a visit if you're interested in the mining heritage of the area - http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/.

 

And there are just a ton of castles dotted around Gwent. My personal favorite happens to be the one at Caerphilly - http://www.britainexpress.com/attraction-search.htm?AttractionType=Castle&County=Gwent

[syesmar]

Hi, I have a question about the train fares: I know it would be more expensive to wait & buy a ticket on the 'day of' if I go to Bath, but as I understand what Newport Dave has said, that's not the case with the Cardiff - Newport tickets. They're 3.5 GBP all the time, regardless if they're purchased in advance or not. Correct?

[newport dave]

Hi, I have a question about the train fares: I know it would be more expensive to wait & buy a ticket on the 'day of' if I go to Bath, but as I understand what Newport Dave has said, that's not the case with the Cardiff - Newport tickets. They're 3.5 GBP all the time, regardless if they're purchased in advance or not. Correct?

 

Correct....I went to Bridgend a month back on the train checked online for time and prices, bought the ticket at the station exactly same price.

 

It's only the longer distance journeys which have online price deals.

[syesmar]

"Newport Bus" has a nice website. For schedules, visit http://www.newporttransport.co.uk/ then click the "where we go" tab.

[newport dave]

Another good website is

 

http://www.traveline-cymru.info/

 

It's lets you plan your journey throughout Wales just using public transport.

[Cazz]

I was intrigued, as I know that Cardiff have been encouraging cruise ships the last few years. I did a bit of googling and found this info - seems that it may be Cardiff docks after all?

 

http://www.cruisewales.net/en/fe/page.asp?n1=47

 

and, if so, it answers your questions about shuttle busses - there may even be a band to welcome you lol

 

Have a great cruise wherever you end up!

 

Croeso Welcome

Carol

[newport dave]

I was intrigued, as I know that Cardiff have been encouraging cruise ships the last few years. I did a bit of googling and found this info - seems that it may be Cardiff docks after all?

 

http://www.cruisewales.net/en/fe/page.asp?n1=47

 

and, if so, it answers your questions about shuttle busses - there may even be a band to welcome you lol

 

Have a great cruise wherever you end up!

 

Croeso Welcome

Carol

 

It says that on other cruiseline schedule sites, but why does it have Newport in brackets after Cardiff. All I can surmise is that they are docking in Newport(god knows where), but the stop is primarily for Cardiff. Still don't know why they're not docking in Cardiff though.

 

Also you'll be arriving a day late for the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival which runs from 10-12 July down in the bay. It's a shame as it's normally excellent day out..............

[newport dave]

Another interesting fact for anyone who's interested, is that the majority of all roadsigns in Wales are bi-lingual. Depending where you are in Wales, decides if English or Welsh are first on the signpost.

 

If anyone wants to have a go at Welsh then try below

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/

[bigwally]

Another interesting fact for anyone who's interested, is that the majority of all roadsigns in Wales are bi-lingual. Depending where you are in Wales, decides if English or Welsh are first on the signpost.

 

If anyone wants to have a go at Welsh then try below

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/

 

 

Here's something for those interested to try and get their heads around, posted in the car park at Tredegar House and Park:

 

[newport dave]

Here's something for those interested to try and get their heads around, posted in the car park at Tredegar House and Park:

 

 

 

When did you visit Tredegar House, I live literally half a mile away.

[bigwally]

When did you visit Tredegar House, I live literally half a mile away.

 

Last time I was down in that neck of the woods would have been autumn 2004. I used to get there on a fairly regular basis, visiting with a mate who lived in Pont-y-pwl.

[newport dave]

Last time I was down in that neck of the woods would have been autumn 2004. I used to get there on a fairly regular basis, visiting with a mate who lived in Pont-y-pwl.

 

Now you're just showing off......;);)