Newport, Pembrokeshire

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Statistics
Newport
Population:	1,122 (2001 census^[1])
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for SN055395
Administration
Principal area:	Pembrokeshire
Constituent country:	Wales
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Police force:	Dyfed-Powys Police
Ceremonial county:	Dyfed
Historic county:	Pembrokeshire
Post office and telephone
Post town:	NEWPORT
Postal district:	SA42
Dialling code:	+44-1239
Politics
UK Parliament:	Preseli Pembrokeshire
European Parliament:	Wales

Newport (Welsh: Trefdraeth) is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Nevern (Welsh: Afon Nyfer) in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The town was founded by the Norman William FitzMartin (c.1155-1209) about 1197.He was a son-in-law of The Lord Rhys, who nevertheless expelled him from his former base at nearby Nevern, which had established by his father Robert fitz Martin. William founded Newport as the new capital of the Marcher Lordship of Cemais. Despite seizure from the native Welsh, it would remain within the FitzMartin family until the death of William, the 2nd Lord Martin, without male heir in 1326.

The castle built by FitzMartin is situated on a spur of Carn Ingli and has a surpassing view of Newport and much of the surrounding countryside. Though in ruins since at least the 17th century, it is impressive due to its site, and a converted house incorporating the castle walls (facing west over the town, the bay and the Irish Sea) is still inhabited.

The church of St. Mary's, sited below the castle though within the town, dates from the FitzMartin era, and the outside east apse bears their arms ("Argent, two bars gules").

It is known today for its beaches, for the Carreg Coetan Arthur burial chamber and for the West Wales Eco Centre.

Newport also lies on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, has a youth hostel and is popular for walks in the Preseli Hills. The Carn Ingli hill, home to an Iron Age hillfort and some Bronze Age hut circles lies just outside the town.