Chester - Town Walls 
A first impression of the Old City of Chester can be gained from a walk along the town walls. Built mostly of red sandstone they follow the line of the Roman walls, except in the south and west where they extend to the banks of the river to take in the Castle. The complete circuit is about 2mi/3km. The four main gates - the North and East gates, the Bridgegate and the Watergate - were rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Related Attractions
Wishing Steps
Beyond Bridgegate, at the point where the Chester walls turn north, are the Wishing Steps; anyone who runs up and down the steps twice without drawing breath will, it is said, have their wish fulfillled.
Afterwards the walls run alongside Park Street, with, opposite, a row of six pretty 17th century half timbered houses.
Afterwards the walls run alongside Park Street, with, opposite, a row of six pretty 17th century half timbered houses.
Bonewaldesthorne's Tower
The solid sandstone Water Tower (ca. 1325) in the northwest corner makes a fine viewpoint, with some Roman remains visible in the garden below.
Bridgegate
A little more than half way along the Chester town walls on the south side stands the Bridgegate, leading to the Old Dee Bridge (13th century).
Castle (Regimental Museum)
In the southeast corner of the Chester town walls is the Castle. The buildings now occupied by the Assize Courts, County Hall etc. date from the 19th C, the only really old edifice being Agricola's Tower (13th C), part of which contains the Museum of the Cheshire Regiment.
The Castle / Cheshire Military Museum
Chester CH1 2DN
England
Chester CH1 2DN
England
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Eastgate
Start at the steps by the Eastgate entrance to the Old City (rebuilt in 1769) with its clock erected in 1897 on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. On proceeding northwards a fine view of Chester Cathedral soon opens up.
King Charles' Tower
In the northeast corner of the walls stands the Phoenix (or King Charles' ) Tower (restored 1658) from where in 1645 Charles I is said to have watched his troops defeated at Rowton Moor. The tower is the most interesting of those surviving and houses a small Civil War museum.
Morgan's Mount
Beyond Northgate, beside the canal which took the place of the old moat running along outside the Chester town walls, is a watchtower known as Morgan's Mount (good view).
Newgate
A little further on from Bridgegate is the Newgate (built 1938), outside which are gardens where, since 1949, Roman finds from excavations in the city have been displayed. Beyond Newgate the walls continue back to the starting point at Eastgate.
Pemberton's Parlor
Beyond Northgate, beside the canal, is the semicircular Goblin Tower or "Pemberton's Parlor" from which vantage point a sailmaker called Pemberton apparently used to keep a watchful eye on his workforce.
