A visit to Caerleon is fascinating and
rewarding, but is easily arranged for the town lies on the River Usk just
three miles from Newport and only a little way from Junction 25 of the M4
motorway. There are excellent road and rail links from Newport to all pats of
the country. A regular and frequent bus service (Numbers 2 or 7) from Newport
Bus Station takes the visitor to Caerleon Post Office.
A walk around the town will bring surprises
and perhaps some disappointments, for the town has suffered the ravages of
time and has been sacked by Danes, Vikings, Saxons and Welsh. Following the
Roman withdrawal, Caerleon maintained its importance as a seat of the Welsh
Princes, and as a trading and industrial centre to the end of the Nineteenth
Century. It is still a town of personality and charm, containing much that is
worthy of preservation.
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 6,000 soldiers and horsemen,
an amphitheatre, baths, shops and temples. Today these are brought to life at
the imaginatively-displayed Fortress Baths, once a giant 'leisure centre' with
heated changing rooms, swimming pool, huge gymnasium and bath halls.
The Roman Legionary Museum graphically
portrays the daily life of the garrison with life-sized models and an exciting
'hands-on' section for children.
The amphitheatre, designed to hold 6,000
spectators, was the scene of bloodthirsty entertainment as well as training.
This and the barracks, currently the only Roman barrack blocks visible in
Europe, are open free to the public all year. With the departure of the
Romans, legend has it that the fortification then became the court of King
Arthur, with the Round Table.
Today Caerleon is an attractive historic town
with a selection of pubs, restaurants and tea rooms. The Ffwrwm Arts and
Crafts Centre has an amazing sculpture garden and craft shops as well as an
art gallery.
For further information, contact Caerleon
Tourist Information Centre,Tel: 01633 842962
or Newport Tourism - Tel:01633 233327, Fax: 01633 232334
Caerleon Website.
Newport City Council Tourism Website
