Newtown has a truly extraordinary history. Sacked by the Danes under Sweyn, in 1001, it rose from the ruins to become the flourishing New Town and port of Francheville (Free Town), with two main streets. Gold Street and High Street. Aymer de Valence, Bishop-elect of Winchester, who then the overlord, granted franchises and liberties which were confirmed by Edward I in 1318 Edward III granted the right to market and fair, but in 1337 the prosperous little town was completely destroyed by the French.

For two centuries a few inhabitants struggled on as best they could. A deed of 1558 records the exchange of "3 stitches of ground for a little close or parrock called Shottes". One hundred years later Newtown returned two members of Parliament! Gradually the population decreases, until in the 1600s only 11 houses were recorded in the parish. By 1831 there were only 68 inhabitants, of whom 39 were qualified to elect their own Parliamentary representatives. The following year the Boroughs were disenfranchised, and even that glory departed.

An embarkment a mile long had been built, probably in the 18th century, to enclose 120 acres of marsh land; this lasted until 1954 when the sea broke through and again covered the reclaimed land.