Wales
Roman sites in Wales

Here you will find a listing of the major Roman sites to be visited in Wales. Where possible we've tried to provide map links to help you pinpoint the site. These sites can also be browsed by region.

A - N | P - Z

Aberffraw
On the A4080, at Aberffraw, Anglesey.
A 1st century fort, with two occupation phases once existed here. See map

Abergavenny Roman fort
On the A465/A40 at Abergavenny.
Roman fort called Gobannium was built cAD57-400. Granaries built of timber. See map

Brecon Gaer Roman Fort
On a farm near Aberyscir just north of the river Usk, minor road off the A40 northwest of Brecon, Powys. Cadw.
Remain of an early fort begun about 75 AD near the River Usk. The perimeter wall with corner turrets is still preserved, and the gateways still show the holes where the gate-pivots hung. Finds from Brecon Gaer can be viewed at the Brecknock Museum in Brecon. See map

Brithdir
Between A470-A494, near Dolgellau, Gwynedd.
A fortlet abandoned cAD120. Evidence of lead smelting and tanning found at the site. See map

Bryn-y-Gefeiliau
Between Betws-y-Coed and Capel Curig, Gwynedd.
4-acre site of a Roman fort, built AD90, abandoned cAD120. Possible lead mining by the Romans took place nearby. Rampart, ditches, bathhouse remains. See map

Cae-Gaer
In the Cambrian Mountains, by Pen y Crocbren, Llangurig, off A44/A470, Powys.
Roman fortlet where quartz mining may have taken place. See map

Caerau
Esgairperfedd, Powys.
A temporary Roman marching camp, abandoned c 120 - 150.

Caer Gai
Near Bala (A494), Gwynedd.
A rectangular Roman-British fort and settlement, built of timber, AD75-80, then abandoned cAD120. Inside the former fort is a farm. See map

Caer Gybi
In Holyhead, Anglesey, off A5. Cadw.
The walls are all that survive of this small Roman fort dating to the late 3rd century. See map

Caerhun
Also known as Canovium. 4 miles from Conwy and 1 mile south of Tyn y Groes on the B5106. Private ownership. Site crossed by public footpath. Ask permission to view.
Built cAD75. Square fort with clay bank and two ditches. First built of timber, then stone. Destroyed around AD200. Reused in the 4th century, abandoned by the beginning of the 5th century. For much detail and photos: www.betws31.freeserve.co.uk See map

Caerleon Fortress
High Street, Caerleon, Gwent, Tel. 01633 422518
This impressive 50 acre site, known to the Romans as Isca, was permanent home to the second Augustinian legion from 75AD. Remains include barracks, baths, the fortress wall, and an exceptional amphitheatre. See map

Caerphilly
On the A468.
A 21-acre stone fort with ramparts, passageways and gates. Built c AD103-112. A bathhouse lay outside the fort. See map

Caersws Roman Forts
At Caersws, Montgomeryshire, on the A470.
There are two forts at Caersws. The first is small "conquest" fort, used as temporary lodging by the Legions during the initial invasion of Wales. Later, a larger fort was built to the north of Caersws village, and the remains of a tile kiln have been unearthed. Excavations have unveiled a large civilian settlement beneath the present village, supplied by roads and pipe-trenches. See map

Caerwent Roman Town
11 miles south of Newport, off the M48. Cadw.
44 acre site of a Roman town. Much of the 4th century wall remains. There are excavated houses and a Romano-Celtic temple. Caerwent was the tribal capital of the Silures. See map

Cardiff Roman fort
On the A48.
The fort was occupied until the end of the 1st century. Another was built of stone in the late 3rd century but abandoned by the of the 4th century. The fort is a Victorian reconstruction. See map

Castell Collen
Between Llandrindod and Rhayader, Powys
Occupied until the early 3rd century. This fort was reduced in size by building a cross-wall. Artefacts fpound during excavations at the fort are on display in a museum in Llandrindod Wells. See map

Clyro
Near Hay-on-Wye (B4350), Powys.
This Roman fort was occupied at two different times. See map

Cowbridge Roman military site
On the A48. West Glamorgan.
A Roman military site was located here.
See map

Dolaucothi Gold Mines
Off the A482 Lampeter to Llandovery, Pumpsaint, Llanwrda SA19 8RR. Tel.: 01558-650-359
Dolaucothi may have been the only gold mine in Britain during the Roman occupation, and there is evidence that the area was mined long before the Romans arrived. The Romans removed over ½ million ton of rock leaving behind chasms and pits where they mined the gold veins. The Romans left in the 4th century, leaving barracks, bathhouses and other town remains. Visitors today can see the underground tunnels and mining gear, plus the aqueducts that brought water to the mine. For more information see Dolaucothi in-depth. Map

Forden Gaer Roman Fort
On private land near Montgomery, just off the minor road running from the B4385 towards Forden
Roman fort, also called Levobrinta. Along the valley of the Sabrina into the Welsh mountains, Levobrinta stands at the conflux of the Sabrina and the river Rhiw, flowing from the hills of Dyfnant Forest. The first fort here was built in the mid 2nd century AD, but this was later remodelled twice, in the 3rd and later, the 4th century. The ramparts can be seen from the road, but time and sod has softened the contours of the walls. See map

Gelligaer Military Station
On the B4254 at Gelligaer, 14 miles north of Cardiff.
A Roman fort abandoned c 120 AD. A smaller stone fort was built on the same site but was abandoned in the middle of the 2nd century. Remains of the fort have been uncovered. See map

Hindwell
On the B4357 at Hindwell Farm, Radnor Valley, Powys.
Fort abandoned in the late 1st century. See map

Holyhead Mountain Watch-tower
On the B4585, at Holyhead, Anglesey.
On top of the mountain was a 4th century Roman watch-tower. See map

Loughor Roman fort
On the edge of Swansea. Roman fort named Leucarum.
The fort was abandoned in the middle of the 2nd century, then possibly reused in the late 3rd-early 4th century. See map

Llandovery Fort (Alabum)
Llanfair-ar-y-bryn. On the A40 at Llandovery, Dyfed.
A medieval church stands in one corner of the Roman fort here, and the Roman road heading north towards Pumpsaint is clearly visible. Map

Llanfor
On A494, north end of Bala Lake.
Marching camp, watch tower, and supply depot. See map

Llansantffraid
On the A487 coastal road.
A Roman supply base that was part of a complex. See map

Maridunum Demetarum (Carmarthen)
Carmarthen
Carmarthen was a Roman "civitas" or tribal town of the Demetae tribe. The Romans established a presence here in 75 AD with a military fort, but the civitas soon grew to include an amphitheatre (one of only 7 surviving in Britain), the remains of which are still visible. Map

Monmouth Roman Fort
On the A40 at Monmouth.
A Roman fort called Blestium was established here. See map

Neath Roman Fort
At Neath, W. Glamorgan.
The fort, called by the Romans Nidum, was abandoned c AD120 See map

Related:
Map of Major Roman Roads and Forts in Wales
History of Roman Wales

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Photo credits - Caerhun photo courtesy Dave Alexander at www.betws31.freeserve.co.uk , Dolaucothi © Barbara Ballard