With the weather beginning to brighten up, there could hardly be a better time to venture out and rediscover the top beauty spots and attractions near to Newport. Here are some of WalesOnline's favourite haunts within an hour's drive of Newport.
1. Wentwood Forest
Wentwood Forest once formed part of the hunting ground of the historic Chepstow Castle.
Now the sprawling woodland offers walks with breathtaking views over the Severn Estuary, or you could opt to go deep into the trees to discover the native bluebells and wild garlic common in Spring.
Where: From Newport, take the A48 towards Llanfair Discoed, and then take the Usk Road. The Cadira Beeches (non-Woodland Trust woodland) car park is on your left after around 4.8km (3 miles), and the Foresters’ Oaks picnic site car park is west of Foresters’ Oaks.
Distance from Newport: 22 minutes (by car)
2. Gower
Not many people know that Gower was the first Area of Outsanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the UK in 1956.
It covers an area of 73 square miles with its 37 square miles of coastline also designated as Heritage Coast.
Rhossili’s three miles of golden sands and its iconic Worm’s Head rock formation is particularly worth a visit, as is the now iconic Three Cliffs Bay.
Where: Gower Peninsula, west of Swansea
Distance from Newport: One hour and 20 minutes
3. Llandegfedd Reservoir
Llandegfedd Reservoir is a popular spot for fans of sailing, windsurfing, power boating, paddle boarding and kayaking, with its own water sports centre.
The reservoir is also a a brilliant spot for walking and on a bright day the views are spectacular.
Where: Llandegfedd Reservoir, Coed y Paen, Pontypool
Distance from Newport: 20 minutes
4. Sugar Loaf Mountain
This mountain dominated the skyline above Abergavenny providing a spectacular backdrop to the market town.
A walk straight up will certainly leave you without much puff left, but there are plenty of distractions in the form of upland wildlife including skylarks, housemartins and swallows at some points during the year/
Where: North-west of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Distance from Newport: 48 minutes
5. Bryngarw Country Park
Visitors to this country park can expect to find a huge 100 acres of beautiful land to explore including woodland, wetlands, meadows and formal gardens.
There's also a nice little cafe to stop off at and recharge.
Where: Brynmenyn, Bridgend CF32 8UU
Distance from Newport: 46 minutes
6. Bute Park
If you fancy a trip to Cardiff, you couldn't go far wrong with a wander around Bute Park.
The park is just a short walk from the city's main high street and just behind the well-known Cardiff Castle.
Where: North Road, Cardiff CF10 3ER
Distance from Newport: 30 minutes
7. Pontypool Park
Known locally as the People's Park, Pontypool Park has some interesting historical features including Italian gardens, ice houses and shell grotto.
Where: Pontypool, NP4 8AY
Distance from Newport: 20 minutes
8. The Skirrid
The Skirrid, derived fro the Welsh ‘Ysgyryd’, is the last outcrop of the Black Mountains and rises dramatically out of the Gavenny Valley.
The north face path up to the top is a little steep, so it's not for the faint of heart.
Where: Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny, NP7 8AP
Distance from Newport: 40 minutes
9. Caerphilly Mountain
For a shorter drive, there's always Caerphilly Mountain with its popular snack bar near the summit.
The circular loop trail features beautiful wild flowers and views of the valley below.
Where: Mountain Rd, Caerphilly CF83 1JA
Distance from Newport: 30 minutes
10. Pen-y-Fan
The highest mountain in South Wales, there is a steep climb to the summit, to which you can either add the longer "horseshoe" walk or head straight back down.
The weather on Pen y Fan often bears no resemblance to that at lower altitude, so be prepared.
Where: Brecon Beacons National Park
Distance from Newport: One hour 20 minutes
11. Offa's Dyke Path
For real history buffs, there's hardly a better feeling than walking the oft-fought over borderland of Wales: Offa's Dyke.
The trail offers stunning views over the Wye Valley from Tintern to Monmouth, beautiful countryside up to Abergavenny, then the beauty of the Black Mountains.
Where: Offa's Dyke Path, Chepstow
Distance from Newport: 35 minutes
12. Southerndown
Dunraven Bay is a very popular beach just a short drive from Newport.
It is commonly known as Southerndown beach, taking its name from a nearby village
Where: Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan, CF32 0RP
Distance from Newport: 50 minutes
