Birmingham Newport Train

The city of Birmingham, which is located in the West Midlands in England and is the most populous city in Britain outside London. The city is a major international commercial centre and as a result it has excellent transport, retail, events and conference facilities. The city has six universities which makes it the largest centre of higher education in the country outside London.

Birmingham's architecture is largely a product of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries having only really developed as a city as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Evidence of Birmingham's medieval history can be seen in its oldest churches, particularly the original parish church of St Martin in the Bull Ring, and two public houses - the Lad in the Lane and The Old Crown.

Birmingham's universities are: Aston University, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham, Newman University and a campus of the University of Law and BPP University. The city is also home to the regional base of the Open University.

The city has three main line railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill. Between them they offer passengers many direct services across the United Kingdom. Curzon Street railway station is planned to be the northern terminus for phase 1 of the High Speed 2 rail link from London which is due to open in 2026.

Located on the Pembrokeshire coast in South Wales lies the town of Newport which has retained its charm and laid back way of life and is a popular destinations for visitors wishing to escape the excesses of modern life. Newport is a town of two halves, the streets around Market Street and the area around the Parrog. Market Street was once wide enough to accommodate market stalls but has since been narrowed with the enclosure of front gardens at many of the properties. Just over 5 miles to the east of Newport is Castell Henllys, a reconstructed Iron Age hill fort complete with roundhouses and other buildings, built in exactly the same place as the Iron Age buildings as identified by archaeological excavations. Also a few miles from Newport to the south east is Pentre Ifan, an exposed Neolithic burial mound on the hillside high above the village. The setting is magnificent with Carn Ingli and Newport Bay as a backdrop. The main shopping streets of Newport city centre are pedestrianised and include High Street, Newport Arcade, Market Arcade, Commercial Street, Skinner Street, Bridge Street, Upper Dock Street, Market Street, Griffin Street, Corn Street, Cambrian Road, Hill Street, Llanarth Street and John Frost Square.