Newport Medieval Ship
Volunteer-run Ship Centre with free entry, showing the story of a fifteenth-century merchant ship found in Newport in 2002.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The remains of a medieval merchant ship were found in 2002 in central Newport, when work on the Riverfront arts centre was paused for an excavation. Tree-ring dating shows that the trees were felled in the late 1450s. The ship was probably built in the Basque Country, was over 30 metres long, had three masts and could carry about 200 tons of cargo; it probably sailed on the Lisbon to Bristol route.
It was brought to Newport around 1469 for repairs or a refit, but the cradle supporting it in its dock collapsed, the hull flooded, and most of the ship was taken apart, which left only the lower part of the hull. The ship was built in the clinker method, with overlapping planks.
The timbers were lifted, recorded and have been through a long conservation process. They are now kept in pieces while the charity, the Newport Medieval Ship Project, works towards a permanent display space where the ship can be reconstructed. In the meantime the volunteer-run Ship Centre on an industrial estate in Newport is open on selected days in the summer season. It offers a guided tour by volunteers or a free audio guide, narrated in English by the actor Michael Sheen or in Welsh by Rhys ap William, and an animated film about the building of the ship and its last voyage to Newport.
Highlights
- Remains of a fifteenth-century merchant ship, found in 2002
- Guided tour by volunteers or free audio guide narrated by Michael Sheen
- Animated film about the ship’s construction and last voyage
- Free entry and free parking
- Gift shop
Permanent exhibition
- The Newport Medieval Ship Centre exhibition – An animated film about the building of the ship and its last voyage to Newport, with a guided tour or audio guide.
- Operated by
- Newport Medieval Ship Project (registered charity 1105449)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free and donations are welcome. A guided tour by volunteers or an audio guide is included.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is disabled access to the main exhibition space. The toilets do not include a disabled toilet. Dogs are allowed on site on a lead.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Nash College / Tesco Spytty
Routes 43 and 74C leave from Newport Central Bus Station at Friars Walk, and the N4 leaves from Market Square, stand 24; the journey takes about 20 to 25 minutes. The nearest railway station is Newport, about 4 miles from the Ship Centre; Newport Central Bus Station is about 0.4 miles from the station.
By car
Free parking
Parking at the Ship Centre is free.
The nearest bus stops, Nash College and Tesco Spytty, are about 0.7 miles (a 10-minute walk) from the Ship Centre, which is on the Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a gift shop, and hot and cold drinks can be bought.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (EN, CY) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours can be tailored for youth groups such as Scouts, Cubs and Beavers and for schools; contact the ship project first so a guide can be arranged. |
