Isle of Wight Newport

Pleasant little working town which became the ‘new port’ in 1180 when Lord of the Island Richard de Redvers ruled from nearby Carisbrooke. Busy commercial and administrative centre, streets lined with solid 18th and 19th century houses. Tuesday cattle and general market, which is in South St, used to be held in St James Square with its half art nouveau, half Gorthic monument to Queen Victoria and colonnaded Guildhall by Nash.

Country Press in High St, sedate mahogany-filled newspaper office, publishes nice range of booklets and postcards using old engravings and photographs. National Trust has an information centre at 35 Upper St James St. Early closing on Thursday. For real beer try Calverts, Quay St, a small town hotel, and the Rose and Crown, a friendly local.

Excellent range of information sheers and brochures available at Tourist Board main office at High Street.