A Roman-themed playground is set to take children on a journey back in time.
The new play area in Caerleon, part of a wider investment by Newport City Council, will be located at Caerleon Park on Cold Bath Road and will feature climbing frames and play equipment inspired by the area's Roman history, including a gatehouse, centurion towers, and an Isca Amphitheatre-themed climbing zone.
Councillor Yvonne Forsey, Newport City Council's cabinet member for climate change, waste and recycling, said: "We've heard extensive feedback from Caerleon residents on what they wanted from new sites, and we have worked very closely with them in making sure these new sites meet their needs, both in terms of the locations and the play equipment on offer.
"Once work is completed, we'll have a good spread of play areas right across Caerleon, with these sites joining our existing sites at Home Farm and Lodge Hill."
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Caerleon, known to the Romans as Isca Augusta, was one of just three permanent legionary fortresses in Britain.
It housed the 5,000-strong Second Augustan Legion from around AD 75 and includes the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre of its kind in Britain.
Work is already under way at two other sites in Caerleon: the former Eastfield Road playground and the open space between Highfield Close and Westfield Close.
Both areas, previously out of use, are being redeveloped with new play equipment aimed at young children following extensive consultation with the community.
The Cold Bath Road site, described as the most ambitious of the three projects, is scheduled to begin later in the summer.
The council has said it will provide updates through its social media channels as construction progresses.
The projects are part of Newport City Council’s broader investment in play areas across the city.
Recent improvements include refurbished playgrounds at Moorland Park and Oliver Road in Lliswerry, as well as a new splash pad and play zone at Tredegar Park, which opened in 2024 with support from the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The new Caerleon play areas are expected to open to the public later this year.
The investment comes at a culturally significant time for the town, as Newport City Council has supported Caerleon’s bid to become the UK’s first ever Town of Culture.
The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a year-long programme of cultural events.
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