Press Releases

Back by popular demand is the Junior Legion, a chance for children to march in the Amphitheatre with a Roman soldier. Lloyd Astbury, aged 8 from Caerleon said, "I got dressed up as a Roman last year and marched in the Amphitheatre with a sword and a soldier —, and I got a certificate. I can't wait to try it again!"

This year's event includes Gladiatorial, Medieval and Victorian re-enactment groups. Roger Morgan, from Newport, is a surgeon with the Victorian group, the 1879's. He said,

"I love doing these shows, there's a great atmosphere and it's wonderful to see the look on people's faces when you describe some of the treatments used back then — I've even had someone faint on me once!"

The Gladiator group, Britannia, who have taken part in C4 'Big Roman Dig' project come from further away than Newport, but their leader, Dan Shadrake feels the same way,

"We want to show people what it would have been like to go and see a gladiatorial contest and we get the crowds so worked up that they are calling for blood!"

As well as re-enactment groups there will be a group of real soldiers joining the fun on Saturday 9 July as members of 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Wales come down - bringing their own tank!

And if that wasn't enough to keep you busy, there'll be traders, talks, children's activities — and even a masseuse.

Tickets cost £10 Family (2 adults and 3 children), £4 Adult and £2 Concession. The event is open 11am–5pm Saturday and Sunday. Times of displays may vary, please call for details.

The Roman Legionary Museum is one of six museums run by the National Museums & Galleries of Wales (NMGW). Other NMGW sites are the National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff, Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagans, Big Pit: National Mining Museum, Blaenafon, National Woollen Museum, Dre fach Felindre and the Welsh Slate Museum, Llanberis. Opening later this year is the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, outlining the innovative stories of the peoples and industries of Wales.

Entry to the museum is free, thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.