A few weeks ago, I ended up in Caerleon for work and immediately knew I wanted to come back.
I had gone there to interview someone and, once I was finished, realised I had somehow never properly explored it before.
Being from Bath, I am probably slightly harder to impress than most when it comes to anything historical.
So Caerleon had a lot to live up to.
We parked near Caerleon Comprehensive School, where we managed to find free parking, and walked across to the Roman barracks.
The remains give a clear sense of how the soldiers would once have lived, with the layout of the buildings still easy to make out.
From there, we headed to the amphitheatre, which was probably my favourite of the outdoor sites.
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Standing in the middle, surrounded by the remains of the arena, it is easy to imagine just how different it would once have looked.
We then walked to the National Roman Legion Museum, where displays tell the story of the Roman army and life in Caerleon.
There are artefacts, armour and plenty of information, as well as the chance to dress as a Roman soldier.
Naturally, I gave it a go.
By that point, we had fully committed to being Romans for the day.
What I liked most about Caerleon was how close everything was.
The barracks, amphitheatre and museum are all within easy walking distance, and it never felt like we were rushing from one place to another.
The history also feels very much part of the village itself.
After spending the afternoon exploring the town centre, we walked down towards the River Usk and finished the day with food at the pub by the water.
It was a simple day out, but probably one of the most enjoyable I have had in a while.
Caerleon had a lot to live up to for someone from Bath, but it did not disappoint!
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