Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths

Newport, United Kingdom

The Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths museum is a historical site located in the town of Caerleon. Roman Wales was the farthest point west that the Roman Empire in Roman Britain extended to, and as a defence point, the fortress at Caerleon built in AD 75 was one of only three permanent Roman Legionary fortresses in Roman Britain. It was occupied and operational for just over 200 years.

The site of the baths was excavated in the late 1970s, and a curator was appointed in 1980 when the site was opened to the public.

The Roman Baths Museum lies inside what remains of the fortress of Isca Augusta close to the National Roman Legion Museum. The baths museum has a covered walkway over part of the remains of the military bath house. There was a frigidarium, tepidarium and caldarium, as well as an open-air swimming pool.

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Founded: 75 AD
Category: Museums in United Kingdom

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Richard Burgess (4 months ago)
Great visit you can stroll around the old fortress and see the remains of eight barracks used by the Roman legion based at Caerleon for hundreds of years. Although incomplete the buildings still stand a few feet high and it is easy to visualise the building when they were used. The garrison housed approximately five thousand soldiers. It is also easy to follow the old fortress walls down to the river usk. While you are there you can also wander around the best example of an Amphitheatre in Britain where the remains outline the layout during the use of this for roman games.
Paula M (4 months ago)
Stunning history of the roman bath, and such a great experience going back in time getting a sort of feeling on how the romans in ancient Britain used to live.
Svitlana Lysytska (7 months ago)
Informative and looked-after archeological site, museum and Roman baths. Highly recommend to visit.
Russell Williams (9 months ago)
Superb exhibit of rare (in Britain) Roman outdoor bath. Staff are welcoming and informative. Parking requires the RingGo parking app or coins as the carpark is owned by the pub next door. If you don't want to visit the pub (to get parking for free) park at the Amphitheatre instead as it is only a short walk.
Colita Dainton (10 months ago)
We spent a couple of hours exploring Caerleon. The baths were fascinating although my grand daughter wasn't impressed she's 5! Lots of local roman history with lots still undiscovered it seems. We also walked up to the museum which is free and filled with great things to look at. We also found the amphitheatre and barracks. Worth a visit and a wander. You have to pay to park at the baths, but you could park at the amphitheatre and walk down, all are close. Worth an hour or two.
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