Caerleon

Caerleon - the “fortress of the Legion” - was one of the most important military sites in Britain under the Roman Empire. It was the home of the 2nd Augustan Legion, housing 5,000 soldiers and horsemen, with an amphitheatre, baths, shops and temples.

Today Caerleon is an attractive historic town with a selection of pubs, restaurants and tea rooms.

Aspects of Roman history are brought to life at the imaginatively displayed Fortress Baths, (opens new website) once a giant 'leisure centre' with heated changing rooms, swimming pool, huge gymnasium and baths halls.

The National Roman Legion Museum (opens new website) graphically portrays the daily life of the garrison with life size models and an exciting ‘hands on’ area for children. For more information about the Romans at Caerleon, including a view of the fortress in 3D and explanatory videos on key locations and structures, see the Digital Roman Caerleon Trail (opens new website) where you can experience a walk through time.

The Amphitheatre and Barracks – currently the only Roman barracks block visible in Europe – are open free to the public all year, with the exception of occasional events. Please contact the Tourist Information Centre for further information about what’s on.

Legend has it that Caerleon was the first of King Arthur’s Courts, the amphitheatre allegedly being the site of the famous Round Table. You can learn more about the Arthurian literature of Geoffrey of Monmouth and other early Welsh writers, and how the legend developed here

The Ffwrrwm Arts and Crafts Centre has several craft shops, a tea-room and restaurant, art gallery and sculpture garden.

Further Information

For further information and images of Caerleon past, present and future, visit the Caerleon Net website. The flourishing Caerleon arts scene is detailed on the Caerleon Arts website

Some of this information is also available in the Caerleon leaflet (pdf) which can be downloaded and printed.