A Guide to Living in Gwent

Gwent is a county found in the south of Wales. It borders Monmouthshire and Herefordshire to the east, Shropshire to the north-east, Powys to the north and Carmarthenshire to the west. Gwent is home to many attractions – from Cardiff Bay’s state-of-the-art business district with its iconic i360 tower, which provides panoramic views across Wales’ capital city, down through miles of sandy beaches on both sides of a dramatic coastline dotted with award-winning surf spots and some spectacular golf courses.

Where is Gwent?

Gwent is a large county in the east of Wales. The population of Gwent, as recorded by the 2011 census, was 527,000 people living in an area of 1,025 km2 (403 sq mi). It borders England to its east and south with the Welsh counties of Powys and Monmouthshire helping to form its southern border.

Areas in Gwent

Gwent is a large county and as such, there are many different areas in which to live. Some of the more popular areas include:

Newport – Newport is the county town of Gwent and, as such, offers a wealth of amenities including shopping, restaurants and bars. It is also home to Newport railway station which provides links to other major Welsh towns and cities as well as London.

Cardiff – Cardiff is the capital of Wales and is located around 30 miles (48 km) from Newport. It offers all the amenities you would expect from a capital city, including great shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Cwmbran – Cwmbran is located around 12 miles (19 km) south of Newport and is home to a number of large industrial estates. It offers good transport links to Cardiff and Bristol, as well as a range of amenities including shopping, restaurants and bars.

Torfaen – Torfaen is located to the northeast of Newport and includes the towns of Cwmbran, Abergavenny and Pontypool. It offers good transport links to Cardiff and Bristol, as well as a range of amenities including shopping, restaurants and bars.

Universities in Gwent

There are three universities located in Gwent: University of South Wales (USW), Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU) and Newport University.

University of South Wales – USW was formed in 2013 when the University of Wales, Newport merged with Gwent College of Higher Education (now part of Cardiff Metropolitan) and it is one of the largest universities in Wales.

Cardiff Metropolitan University – CMU offers a range of degree courses at both undergraduate level and postgraduate level including business studies, interior design and animation.

Newport University – NU is a university focusing on courses in business, design and the health sector. It also offers degree apprenticeships that combine studying with employment. In addition to these universities, there are numerous further education colleges located throughout Gwent.

Top Schools in Gwent

Gwent has a number of high-ranking schools including:

Monmouth School – is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. It was founded in 1541 by Henry VIII and is one of the oldest schools in Wales. It has a reputation for academic excellence, with many of its former pupils going on to study at Oxford and Cambridge.

Blaenau Gwent School – this school is located in the heart of Ebbw Vale and serves students from ages 11-18 years old. It has been awarded specialist sports college status and offers a range of sporting opportunities to its pupils.

Coedcae School – is an all boys’ comprehensive secondary school located in Caerphilly. The school has been awarded specialist status in both Technology and Sports.

Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni – this school is a Welsh-medium secondary school located in Risca. It serves students from ages 11-18 years old and has been awarded specialist status in both Welsh Medium Education and the Arts.