Chester City Walls & Gates: A Fantastic Sightseeing Walk

A fantastic way to see Chester and take in many of the city’s major sites is to walk along the city walls. The Chester City Walls have various historic gates and towers.

I took a few walks here at various times of day, both during the daytime and after dark. The walk was mostly quiet, and it was a nice place to take in the views with a cold beer from the supermarket. The daytime walks were a great opportunity to see the details and sights of Chester. However, the nighttime walks were special. After hearing that one section near the Newgate is haunted by a Roman centurion, I took my time and embraced the spooky vibe in the early hours.

History of Chester City Walls

The walls of Chester have an interesting backstory. The concept was originally developed by the Romans, about which little is known other than that it was part of the city’s defences. Then Æthelflæd, the daughter of Saxon King Alfred, developed the fortifications. Subsequently, the Normans extended the city’s defences, which were further reinforced during the English Civil War. You can also find out about the breaches during the Civil War when you visit the Roman garden.

How Long Are The Chester City Walls?

The walk around the walls is 1.8 miles long. However, there were lots of interesting distractions along the way, so I took many detours from the fortifications to see things. I particularly enjoyed seeing the gates, the stretch by the river, and the section alongside the cathedral.

Maps

There are many maps available to help you make the most of your walk through the city. Here are some photographs as a rough guide.

Things To See When Walking The City Walls

There are many places of interest along the walls, including sections of the defences and views of notable buildings.

Eastgate & Clock

The Eastgate clock is a very popular landmark and can be seen from the street below or along the city wall path. The clock was built in 1899 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. This was built atop the Eastgate, the former entrance to the Roman fortress.

Bridgegate

Near the River Dee is the Bridgegate, a Grade I listed building. This was originally built as an extension of the Roman walls; however, after collecting tolls and being destroyed in the Battle of Chester, it was rebuilt in 1781.

Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower

Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower is in the northwest of the city walls and caught my eye, as it has a spur wall leading to the water tower. This is also a Grade I listed building with a history dating back to 1249. This tower is made from red sandstone and has battlements at the top.

Newgate

One of the newer parts of the city walls is the Newgate, which was built in 1937/1938. It is a Grade II listed building made of red sandstone. This one is near the Roman garden and the amphitheatre.

Water Tower & Gardens

The Water Tower is a Grade I-listed building dating from the 14th century. It was named the Water Tower in the 17th century and was formerly known as the New Tower. It is on the northwest corner of the city walls and is a nice part to explore. Below the tower is a children’s play area.

Pemberton’s Parlour

Pemberton’s Parlour on the north wall, formerly known as the Goblin Tower, is a Grade I listed building. Originally this was a circular tower; however, on rebuilding in 1894, it became semicircular.

King Charles Tower (Phoenix Tower)

Phoenix Tower, AKA King Charles Tower, is at the northeast corner of the city walls. It has a history dating back to the 13th century, and its name and emblem come from the medieval painter guild. During the English Civil War, there was a gun on both floors of this tower.

Watergate

Watergate is a bridge on the western wall of Chester, a short walk from the racecourse. It was built between 1788 and 1790 to replace a medieval gate and is now a Grade I listed building.

Cathedral From The East Wall

Chester Cathedral is a lovely Gothic building to see, which you can see when walking along the fortifications. You can’t access it from the walls, but this was one of my favourite views of it.

Chester Castle

In the southwest corner of the walls, you pass by Chester Castle, which is now a museum. The views of the fortress from here are special, but I recommend deviating and popping inside.

Deanery Field

Deanery Field is a good spot for views of the cathedral from the north section of the city walls. It contains some remains of the Roman fort and is a popular archaeology site.

Park Street Tudor Houses

The wall runs above Park Street, and there are some pretty 15th-century houses along the walkway known as The Nine Houses. These were almshouses, and only six currently survive. They were built in roughly 1650.