2 minute read
Edge of Empire
EDGE OF EMPIRE – ROMANS IN SOUTH WALES
Life in ancient Caerleon & Caerwent
3 Days From £655pp Departing Sep ‘21, May & Sep ‘22 Activity Level
The most Westerly part of the Roman Empire, south-east Wales presents some of the finest Roman remains in the UK, boasting both Caerleon and Caerwent, which invite us to consider not only the lives of soldiers but the lives of ordinary people in a provincial Romano-British town. Discover excavated remains, fascinating history and artefacts with stories to tell.
Tour Highlights
Caerleon in the expert company of Dr Mark Lewis • Visit the Roman legionary fortress at Caerleon, one of only three permanent fortresses in Britannia • Explore Caerwent with its impressive Roman wall, often described as the most significant in all of Britain
Day One | Caerleon Today we make our way to Wales, meeting in Caerleon. After settling into our hotel, our expert Guide Lecturer will give a lecture on the archaeological finds of south-east Wales. Day Two | Caerleon We spend the morning exploring the Roman legionary fortress at Caerleon, one of only three permanent fortresses in Britannia. Here we see the barracks of the Legio II Augusta, one of the most intact legionary barracks in the Roman Empire, as well as defensive towers. We proceed to the amphitheatre, which once held 6,000 people and may well have been constructed for the benefit of the soldiers as well as civilians living in nearby settlements, cannabae. After a coffee break, we venture to the fortress bath house, which includes a sizeable outdoor swimming pool, a natatio. In the afternoon, we will have a special behindthe-scenes tour of the National Roman Legion Museum in the fine company of Dr Mark Lewis, who will offer an in-depth analysis of the archaeological finds from the area. Day Three | Caerwent Our tour continues to Caerwent, ancient Venta Silurum, on the road that leads from Caerleon to Gloucester, which was established in AD 75 to settle the Silures and was expanded in the Hadrianic period. Here we see what have often been described as the most significant Roman walls in Britain, reaching the height of five metres. We continue to the site of the forum and basilica at the centre of the ancient city, and thence to an ancient temple from the late antique period and to the remains of houses and shops excavated recently. Our last visit is to the Roman Temple at Lydney, built on the seafront in two different stages, in the Hadrianic and late antique periods. Once situated in an unexcavated settlement, we see the remains of a hypocaust and a number of well-built rooms. We return back to our hotel in Caerleon at around 16.30, where this tour will come to an end.
Guided by Mark Corney
An archaeologist, broadcaster and former Senior Landscape Investigator.
Price includes
• Expert Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities Included travel
• All local transport Accommodation
• Accommodation at The Priory Caerleon Culinary inclusions
• 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person
Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 24th - 26th Sep ‘21 £655 £195 13th - 15th May ’22 £695 2nd - 4th Sep ’22 £695 £195
£195
