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Y Gaer Roman Fort

Rural remains of a major military outpost

Looking at its tranquil location in farmland near Brecon today, you’d never guess that Gaer was once one of the Romans’ largest inland forts and a vital link in the occupiers’ defensive network in Wales. Founded around AD 75, it was situated in a strategic position at the meeting point of two major roads and manned by highly trained legionaries of the Vettonian Spanish Cavalry Regiment.

In Roman times this was a busy site, with a large guardhouse, granary and heated bathhouse. Today you can see remains of a number of defensive towers, alongside two large gateways with walls standing 8ft/2.4m high in places.

Opening times & prices

Opening times

1st April - 31st March 10am-4pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

The site is on a working farm so access is limited during the growing season.

*No vehicular access to the site

Visitor information

Walking difficulty icon

Walking difficulty

Terrain: Level 3 — Moderate

Drone policy icon

Drone policy

No smoking icon

No smoking

Health & Safety icon

Health & Safety

Care and attention must be paid when visiting this monument. It will be regularly exposed to the natural elements and may be slippery or muddy underfoot.

Appropriate footwear for the season and type of monument must be considered prior to your visit. Please only attend during the set opening hours, these have been chosen for your safety i.e. appropriate level of lighting.

Many of our monuments are located at areas of height, attention must also be paid therefore to the surrounding areas, ditches and moats when visiting.

Guardrails have been installed to prevent access to any areas of the site that we have deemed as dangerous or to prevent falls in specific areas. Please do not climb over or through any fixed installation.

Any handrail provided should be used to help you safely navigate historic steps, as these may be uneven and may be of different height.

As with all ancient monuments there is always a risk of stones being dislodged in bad weather, however, we manage this through extensive monitoring. 

Climbing may result in serious injury. 

There are several wild plants and flowers, although these are great pollinators, they may be poisonous to visitors and animals, we strongly advise you not to touch or allow dogs to eat any vegetation.

There may be shared access or neighbouring farmland that may involve the presence of grazing cattle or farm animals.

Please watch our health & safety film before visiting Cadw sites.

Iechyd a Diogelwch / Health and Safety

Please report any anti-social behaviour such as climbing, setting fires, graffiti etc. to CadwAccidentsReports@gov.wales

The following signs can be found around the site at key areas of risk, please pay attention where appropriate.

Steep and uneven steps icon

Steep and uneven steps

Falls from height icon

Falls from height

Slippery or uneven surfaces icon

Slippery or uneven surfaces

Falling masonry icon

Falling masonry

Directions

Google Map
Road: 4m (4.4km) WNW of Brecon, off A40, near Aberyscir
Bike: NCN Route No.8 (5.6km/3.5m).

Access is gained to the site at the southern end of the lane to ‘Y Gaer’ farm

No vehicular access to the site

No designated parking

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