Newport Museum and Art Gallery

Explore the fascinating prehistory of the Gwent Levels at a stunning new exhibition at Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

The submerged prehistoric landscape of the Severn Estuary is amongst the most important ancient landscapes in Western Europe. Newport Museum is fortunate to curate a significant archive of material collected from and around the Gwent Levels.

Finds include rare stone tools made by Neanderthals; some of the oldest human remains discovered in southeast Wales; the almost complete skeleton of an extinct aurochs and sections of the Upton Trackway - the first prehistoric hurdle trackway discovered in Wales.

This material forms the core of Newport Museum’s Prehistory exhibition, which in partnership with the Living Levels project has been comprehensively re-displayed. The exhibition has involved the complete re-interpretation of the prehistoric collections, integrating replicas, reconstruction drawings and films to add context to artefacts.

Innovative research carried out by Reading, Bristol, Cardiff and Oxford Universities has been woven into the displays, including the life-size reproduction of 7,300 year-old footprints, recorded by Reading University at Goldcliff.

The re-display has also provided an opportunity to bring important items out of the store, such as the remains of a 3,000 year-old boat, also discovered at Goldcliff.

The result is an exhibition that celebrates the remarkable prehistoric archaeology of the Gwent Levels.

Please see Newport Museum and Art Gallery’s website for opening times and to book a free visit.

Places to visit

Marsh Harrier

After a long absence, Marsh Harriers are once again resident (and breeding) on the Gwent Levels.

Parish Portraits in the 1880's

Using the 1881 census and contemporary historical sources, the History RATS have produced a series of portraits of parishes on the Levels in the late 19th century.

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Railways across the Gwent Levels

History RATS Glyn Parkhouse recounts the story of the coming of the railway to the Gwent Levels.

Cheese-making on the Wentlooge Levels

History RATS Marjorie Neal recounts the history of Caerphilly cheese making on the Wentlooge Levels.

After the monks: the Tudor Levels

Tony Hopkins, former county archivist at Gwent Archives and one of our History RATS, considers the effects of Henry VIII’s policies on Monmouthshire and the Gwent Levels.

Life alongside Monks Ditch Pill

Local farmer and member of the History RATS, David Waters, whose family have lived on the Levels since the 1600s, shares his memories of living and working alongside Monk’s Ditch.

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Nonconformism on the Wentlooge Level

History RAT Penny Gregson charts the history of nonconformism on the Wentlooge Level.

Sea walls and the 1884 Act of Commutation

History RAT, Tony Pickup, tells the story of the struggle to maintain the sea wall protecting the Levels during the 19th Century and the historic piece of legislation that solved the problem.

Wales Coast Path

The Wales Coast Path is a long distance footpath that begins (or ends) in Chepstow and follows the coast of Wales for 870 miles (1400km) to Queensferry in Flintshire.

Balloon tragedy at the Cardiff Exhibition

The year 2021 marks the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the tragic death of fourteen-year-old Louisa Maud Evans.

Newport Museum and Art Gallery, John Frost Square, Newport, South Wales, NP20 1PA

Opening times

Monday: closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm
Sunday: closed
Closed on bank holidays.
Admission is free!

Due to Covid 19, reduced opening hours apply and visits are limited to 1 hour timeslots. Booking is essential and you will only be admitted during your timeslot.

> Book a visit

How to get there

Explore the fascinating prehistory of the Gwent Levels at a stunning new exhibition at Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

Opening times

How to get there

By Public Transport

By bike

By road

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