retiredmartin

August 2026. Newport. Gwent.

Four years since my last visit to Newport, but I’ve still probably blogged more about this wonderful town than anywhere outside “home”.

Four years means a couple of Beer Guide debutants have crept in, that Weird Dad micro over the Usk, and a lively town pub run by Rhymney Brewery in the centre.

And Newport is still a lively town city, especially on a sunny weekend like this one when you can see the grandeur of the architecture if you look UP,

rather than at the signs saying “Card Factory” and “Vape Shop” at eye level.

But you’ll need to keep an eye out for the Alexandra (a bank conversion) on Commercial Street, or miss that distinctive yellow sign.

CAMRA reckons Rhymney run eleven pubs, and if they’re all like this one and the Federation in Trededar then their combination of good cheer bargain beer and 10am openings then they may grace the GBG again soon.

With TV and functional sports rooms they won’t compete with Sam Smiths for ornate interiors,

but for well under £4 the Bitter was superb,

and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than on Newport’s pedestrianised main drag listening to “W****r” and “***k o**” and “50p whatever you see” *.

and regular readers will know I’m being entirely serious.

*_{Don’t ask. Honestly}