Celtic Manor Resort

The Celtic Manor Resort stands on Christchurch Hill in eastern Newport, overlooking the Vale of Usk. The 2,000-acre grounds include four hotels, two spas, six restaurants and three championship golf courses. The site’s history stretches back to Roman roads and a 17th-century residence. A manor house built in 1860 became a maternity hospital from 1940 to 1977. Sir Terry Matthews bought and transformed it into a hotel in 1982. The resort has hosted major events including the 2010 Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO summit. The Wales Open golf tournament was played here annually until 2014. A £16 million course was built specifically for the Ryder Cup, complete with a 120-metre suspension bridge across the River Usk. Archaeologists from the Glamorgan-Gwent Trust worked on site, preserving Roman kilns and other discoveries during construction. Visitors find well-kept gardens, luxury lodges and adventure activities such as high ropes and laser tag. The golf courses wind over rolling hills with views of the Wentwood escarpment. Two spas offer treatments, while several restaurants serve local produce. The manor house, now a hotel, retains its Victorian character alongside modern extensions. The surrounding countryside provides quiet walks and scenic drives through the Vale of Usk.