Newtown is located 5 miles (8 km) west of the town of Newport on the large natural harbour on the island's north-western coast.

The Caul Bourne streams through Calbourne, passes Newbridge and Shalfleet and empties into the Solent at Newtown.

There was an annual three-day festival on the "eve, the day and the morrow of the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen", who was honoured in the name of the local thirteenth-century chapel.

The town’s mace dating back to the reign of Henry VII survives in the collection of Carisbrooke Castle Museum.

A survey in 1559 noted that Newtown no longer had a market, and did not have a single good house still standing.

Newtown is popular with tourists and birdwatchers, as numerous uncommon native species use the salt marshes to nest.

The townspeople refused to pay the agreed price, and gave the piper 20 pounds, so he then led the children away.

[4] Southern Vectis operates an infrequent bus route 35, Newbridge to Newport, via Newtown, Porchfield and Marks Corner.