The winning town will receive £3m from the UK government to deliver a year-long programme of cultural events that help tell their unique story and bring the community together.
Caerleon’s rich history, strong sense of civic identity, and range of independent businesses, community venues and community-led cultural activity make it the perfect candidate for the Town of Culture competition.
Caerleon is internationally recognised as an important site within Roman history. It is the site of Isca Augusta, one of only three permanent Roman legionary fortresses in Britain, alongside York and Chester.
Today the town still draws thousands of visitors each year to the site of the Roman amphitheatre, the legionary barracks, extensive fortress bath and buried archaeology, as well as the National Roman Legion Museum, operated by Amgueddfa Cymru.
Caerleon benefits from a formal, active partnership set up in 2024 between the council, Amgueddfa Cymru and Cadw, to further develop the cultural and heritage offer in the town.
This partnership has strong community representation on both its steering group and governance board, ensuring that the community has a voice in shaping the partnership’s work.
Caerleon also already has a fantastic community-led cultural scene, which includes the Caerleon Arts Festival, held every year since 2003.
In addition to existing partnerships and community groups, the council would also be looking to work with key business partners in the area to develop the bid.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to put Caerleon in the national spotlight,” said Councillor Emma Corten, cabinet member for culture and communications, who will present the report to cabinet next week.
“The Newport Culture Strategy we launched last year is all about celebrating and championing our unique cultural offer, and submitting this expression of interest would align with that aim.
“We know that Caerleon has the perfect mix of history, culture and community that would make it an excellent choice to be the UK’s first ever Town of Culture.
“I’m looking forward to discussing this with cabinet colleagues next week, and hopefully taking the bid forward.”
