Newport Wetlands

We are slowly opening our reserves and facilities in Wales in line with government guidance on Covid-19. Please check reserve pages for specific details.

Address: RSPB Newport Wetlands Visitor Centre, West Nash Road, Nash, Newport NP18 2BZ

Grid ref: ST334834

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Covid-19 updates for RSPB nature reserves

Newport Wetlands National Nature Reserve lies between the Severn Estuary and the River Usk on the South Wales coast. It is owned and managed by Natural Resources Wales, working in partnership with RSPB Cymru, Newport City Council and others, for the benefit of wildlife and people.

Plan your visit

Car park and toilets are open daily 9am to 5pm (locked outside of these times). The parking charge is £3 for non-members, free for members.

The shop is available daily between 10am and 4:30pm. The cafe is available from Saturday to Wednesday between 11am and 3pm, closed Thursdays and Fridays. Takeaway cold drinks and snack items are available from the shop outside cafe hours.

Christmas and New Year 2021
Normal opening times apply, except:
December 24, 25 & 26 - Visitor Centre and car park closed
December 27, 28, 31 & Jan 1 - Visitor Centre & car park 10am - 4pm, shop 10.30am - 3:30pm,
cafe 11am - 3pm

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Car park cost

£3 parking fee for non-members
RSPB members park free

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Pushchair friendly
Café
Picnic area is closed
Binocular hire
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop
Play area is closed

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

The nearest railway station is Newport (approx. 5 miles from reserve).

By bus

Number 63 bus from Newport city centre goes to the visitor centre, is a demand responsive service. For booking details contact Newport Bus on 01633 211202.

By bike

Sustrans National Cycle Network route 4 has a branch to Newport Wetlands using existing roads. The car park has a covered cycle stand. Cycling on the reserve is restricted to a designated route.

By road

Join the A48 at either junction 24 or 28 of the M4. Follow the A48 until you come to the Spytty Retail Park roundabout. Exit onto the A4810 Queensway Meadows. At the first roundabout take the third exit onto Meadows Road and follow the brown tourist signs to the reserve.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

View on What3Words

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

There is one permissive dog walking route on the perimeter of the reserve marked by pawprint signs. You can get a map from the visitor centre, where there are tethering rings and a drinking bowl at the entrance.

Registered assistance dogs are welcome (please do not be offended if we ask for evidence of registration).

It is hoped that school visits will return to Newport Wetlands in Summer 2022.

The whole reserve is rich in wildlife habitats with a huge variety of land and pond minibeasts, birds, and plants. It’s the perfect place for your pupils to discover, learn and explore, with help from our expert team who are accredited by Learning Outside the Classroom. We offer a range of hands-on activities for primary and secondary pupils.

Primary school visits cost £4 per pupil for a half-day (minimum charge £80) and £6.50 per pupil for a full day (minimum charge £130). For secondary costs, please call us on 01633 636363. Each programme is designed to last between one and a half to two hours; sessions run from 10am - 12pm, and then 12.30pm - 2.30pm.

To find out more, and view the programmes offered, visit our school trip ideas page.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 163Kb

Newport wetlands trail guide - bilingual

Contact Newport Wetlands

RSPB Newport Wetlands Visitor Centre, West Nash Road, Nash, Newport NP18 2BZ
newport-wetlands@rspb.org.uk
01633 636363

What will you see?

Our star species

Bearded tit

Bearded tit perch up on the stems in calm weather and feed on fallen seeds on the mud at the base of the reeds.

Dunlin

Dunlin can be seen at Newport Wetlands at almost any time.

Little egret

These dainty little white herons can be seen throughout the year at Newport.

Little grebe

Listen for little grebe 'whinnying' in spring as part of their courtship displays.

Shoveler

Shoveler are commonest here in winter, but are also a regular breeding bird.

Breeding waders at the reserve including lapwings and oystercatchers can be seen and bearded tits begin to nest in the reedbeds. Swallows and swifts begin arriving from Africa and the distinctive call of the cuckoo can be heard.

There are 16 species of dragonfly, rare bees and an abundance of butterfly and day flying moths. Grass snakes bask in the sunshine and 5 species of orchid grow here. Weasels and stoats are frequently seen darting for cover.

Groups of goldfinches can be seen flitting around the reserve. Migratory wildfowl and wading birds begin to arrive ready for their winter stay and curlews, redshanks, dunlins and oystercatchers feed on the estuary.

During winter, the starlings take refuge overnight at the reserve. At dusk around 50,000 birds fly overhead giving a breath-taking display before roosting in the reedbeds. Bitterns are rare and extremely secretive, but are seen regularly at this time of year. The reserve also provides a winter sanctuary for wildfowl such as pochard, shoveler and shelduck.

About Newport Wetlands

Habitat

Newport Wetlands encompasses wetland, reedbed and estuary habitats.

Conservation

The Newport Wetlands project is funded by the European Union's Objective Two programme supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and secured via the Newport European Partnership, Newport City Council's allocation of the Welsh Assembly Government's Local Regeneration Fund, Newport City Council's Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, the Environment Agency Wales and Visit Wales – the Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks.

Natural Resources Wales, Newport City Council and the RSPB would like to thank the communities of Newport and the volunteers who have supported Newport Wetlands.

Partners

Site information

Newport Wetlands is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

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Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Newport Wetlands visitor centre is ideal for children and families. Guided walks and children's activities are available on the reserve, drinks and a bite to eat can be enjoyed in the cafe afterwards, followed by a browse in the shop.

Wildlife explorer backpacks are available to hire if you want to go on your own minibeast safari, and are free for RSPB members. We have spotting sheets and self-led trails all year round, encouraging you to take a closer look at the reserve. We also run an exciting programme of events that all the family will enjoy throughout the year, especially during the school holidays, many of these scoring points for the RSPB Wild Challenge.

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/newportwetlands

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