Planning Your Visit
- General Information and Facilities
- Special Facilities for School Groups
- In an Emergency
- What Will We See?
We hope you will enjoy your visit to Caerleon. The following information will support your visit. Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales run the National Roman Legion Museum. The monuments, namely the Fortress Baths, Amphitheatre and Barracks are run by Cadw.
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales have produced this guide in conjunction with Cadw. Any specific questions about any of the Cadw sites not dealt with in the following pages should be directed to Cadw either by telephoning (029) 2082 5111 or by visiting the Cadw website.
Finding Us
- Car: located close to Newport, 20 minutes from the M4 / Severn Crossing, follow signs from Cardiff and Bristol.
- Train: hourly services to Newport then bus transfer.
- Bus: Newport Transport services 7 and 7b between Newport and Cwmbran, hourly each weekday.
Admission
FREE into the National Roman Legion Museum.
Contacting Us
All group visits must be booked in advance. To book an educational visit please phone 01633 430567. For general information about the Museum or events please phone 01633 423134. The Fortress Baths can be contacted on 01633 422518.
Opening hours
The Museum is open from 10.00 – 5.00 Monday to Saturday and from 2.00 – 5.00 on Sunday.
The Fortress Baths are open:
Winter – 9.30 – 5.00 Monday to Saturday and 1.00 – 5.00 Sunday.
Summer – 9.30 – 5.00 Monday to Saturday and 11.00 – 5.00 Sunday.
General Information and Facilities
On Arrival
Group leaders should report to the front desk on arrival at the Museum, leaving the group under the porch at the front of the Museum. They will be asked to provide numbers of children and/or adults in the group for fire regulations.
All educational groups must be supervised at all times when visiting the Museum, including lunchtime.
Toilets
There are two unisex toilets with disabled access in the Museum, one in the Gallery and one in the Capricorn centre. There are male and female toilets in the Capricorn centre.
Gift Shop
There are gift shops located in the Museum Gallery and at the Fortress Baths. School parties should use the gift shop during their allocated Museum Gallery session in groups of no more than 6 at a time to avoid congestion.
Disabled Access
An access guide is available here or by telephoning (029) 2057 3149. Cadw’s access guide is available by phoning 01633 422518. If there are any people with your group who are visually impaired, a handling collection in the Museum is available on request.
Photography
Photography for personal use is allowed in all of the galleries except where this symbol is displayed. If you want to take photographs for reasons other than personal use, please speak to a member of Museum staff who will advise you.
Mobile Phones
As a courtesy to other visitors, please do not use your mobile phone when in the Museum.
Café
There is no café in the Museum. However there are a large number of catering outlets in the village itself.
Special Facilities for School Groups
Timetables
School groups are issued with a timetable prior to their visit. Please follow the timetable carefully to avoid adversely affecting other visiting groups.
Cloakroom
There are cloakrooms available for groups using the Gallery and the Capricorn Centre.
Lunch Facilities
A time for lunch will have been allocated on your timetable. You will be provided with a lunch Room in the Museum where available, this will be discussed when you make your booking.
Please note that as part of our Green Dragon policy we ask that groups take their rubbish away to be recycled.
Preview Visits
These are available for teachers or group leaders wishing to familiarise themselves with Caerleon. Please telephone to make arrangements beforehand if you wish to speak to a member of the Education staff on the day of your preview visit.
This is your museum. It is a place to explore and discover. To make everyone’s visit a pleasure we ask that certain rules are respected:
- We ask that all children and young people under the age of 16 be supervised at all times.
- Please do not run in the Gallery or the Fortress Baths, and take care on the steps and the ramp.
- Avoid leaving fingerprints on the cases, or leaning on the flat-topped cases, especially the coffin exhibit. You are invited to handle the reconstructed objects in the Barrack Room with care.
- Do not climb on the walls at the Amphitheatre and respect both the Amphitheatre and the Barracks as ancient monuments.
Video-conferencing
Can’t get to Caerleon or would like to follow up your visit? Videoconferencing will give your class an experience like no other! For more details contact us on 01633 436 185.
In an Emergency
Fire
In case of fire, an alarm will sound and you should leave by the nearest safe exit. Museum staff will direct you to an assembly point.
First Aid
If First Aid attention is needed please contact a member of Museum staff, who will then summon a trained first aider.
Lost Children
Children separated from their group should inform a member of staff if they are lost. The children will be kept with a member of staff in the Museum Gallery until reunited with their group/family.
Any Other Emergency
In the event of any other emergency please contact a member of staff.
Health and Safety
The Reconstructed Barrack Room contains replica armour. Visitors should handle such items carefully and with regard for other people within the room. Children should be supervised at all times when in the Barrack Room.
The Cadw sites of the Amphitheatre and the Barracks are outdoor sites, so appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn for the weather and ground conditions. Care should be taken on these monuments as there are steep slopes and large drops which can be slippery in wet weather.
Children should be supervised at all times when in the Amphitheatre and Barracks.
What Will We See?
Areas Run by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales:
The Gallery
The Gallery houses a collection of Roman artefacts from the Fortresses of Caerleon and Usk.
The Capricorn centre
The Capricorn centre comprises the Reconstructed Barrack Room, Grammaticus, Studio and Pegasus Centre.
The Barrack Room is open to the public during weekends and school holidays. Visitors must be accompanied by a member of staff in the Barrack Room unless informed otherwise.
The Grammaticus, Studio and Pegasus Centre are areas that are primarily used by education groups and are not open to the general public.
Areas Run by Cadw:
The Fortress Baths
Remains of the legionary Fortress Baths, displayed in a covered building. Walkways are slatted and raised and are not suitable for stiletto heels. A video and sound and light display help to interpret the remains.
The Amphitheatre
The best example of an Amphitheatre to be found in Britain. The site is open at all times.
The Barracks
The best example of a Roman Legionary Barrack block in Europe, also with the remains of the defences, ovens and latrines.
The nature of these ancient monuments may make them unsuitable for some disabled visitors. For further information please telephone 01443 336000 or visit the Cadw website.
We very much hope that you will enjoy your visit to Caerleon. Please let us know how we can improve your visit - you can send your comments to us here.
