Scheduled MonumentsWalesCaerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs
Roman · Legionary Fortress

Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs

Wales
Cadw SAM MM248
Period
Roman
Site type
Legionary Fortress
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Caerleon Legionary Fortress is a Roman legionary fortress of the late first century AD located near Newport in Gwent, Wales. The site, now partly occupied by the former garden of The Firs, preserves remains of one of the three permanent legionary fortresses established in Roman Britain, garrisoned by the Second Augustan Legion from approximately AD 75 onwards. The fortress covered some fifty acres and was laid out according to standard Roman military planning, with substantial stone and timber defences enclosing barrack blocks, administrative buildings, and support structures. Caerleon remained an important military installation throughout the Roman period and is now designated as a scheduled ancient monument under Cadw's care, with substantial archaeological remains and visible features including parts of the fortress walls, amphitheatre, and bath house complexes that testify to the scale and sophistication of Roman military infrastructure in Wales.

Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM248. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs?

Caerleon Legionary Fortress is a Roman legionary fortress of the late first century AD located near Newport in Gwent, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MM248.

What period does Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs date from?

Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs dates from the roman period, and is classified as a legionary fortress. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs?

Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is MM248.

What other scheduled monuments are near Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Former Garden of The Firs?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including St Julian's Wood Camp (1.4 km), Newport Castle (3.6 km), St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Llanwern (4 km).

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