Chester City Walls

Start from the junction of St Johns Street and Foregate Street. From here stand facing the Eastgate section of walls - the high arched bridge running over the top of the street. On top of the walls at Eastgate you'll see an ornate clock tower that was erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee (60 years of reign) of Queen Victoria in 1897. This is said to be the second most photographed clock in England, second only to Big Ben. Take the steps on the right to reach the top of Eastgate. Keep right to walk away from Eastgate along the top of the walls passing the HSBC bank to the left. Soon on the left you will pass by Chester Cathedral. The site of the cathedral was probably used for Christian worship since Roman times, but the present building dates from 1093. Having been modified many times the building now includes examples of many styles of architecture. The patron saint of Chester, Werburgh, is buried in the cathedral. Keep straight ahead on the high wall path until you reach the first corner of the walls marked by King Charles Tower (or Phoenix Tower) on the right. Once a medieval watch tower, it then became a meeting house for painters whose emblem was the Phoenix (hence the alternative name).

Continue further along the walls and to the left you'll see the Deanery Fields. If you glance over the wall edge on the right you'll see the Shropshire Union Canal running below. Further along you'll climb some steps to reach a high point on the wall, Northgate. To the left you can see into the city and to the right you'll see the Bluecoat Hospital.

Further along on the right take time to climb the additional steps to visit the top of Morgan's Mount. This post has commanded some of the best views to the north and west for many hundred years and played an active part in the defense of Chester during the Civil War. Immediately after Martin's Mount you'll climb the flights of steps to cross St Martin's Gate. You will then pass alongside Pembertons Parlour, a decorative alcove named after the Mayor of Chester who owned a rope-making business. Pemberton used the alcove to watch over his workers who were making the ropes below. Follow the walls as they cross the railway and at the next corner you will reach the Water Tower.

For more than 1,500 years Chester was the most important sea port in the North West. This pair of towers (Banewaldesthorne Tower and Water Tower) was built to defend the port. Follow the walls round the corner to the left and back over the railway line. Here the walls gradually descend to road level and on the left you'll pass the infirmary and Queens School. After passing the school, keep right as the walkway again begins to climb. Over to the right you'll see Chester Racecourse. Horse racing in Chester dates back to the 16th century and Chester Racecourse is the oldest racecourse still in use in England. Spectators can watch the racing free of charge from the walls which give a clear view of the whole circuit. The course restaurant is named 1539, after the year in which the first horse race took place. A short distance later you'll reach Water Gate. The River Dee was once deep enough for ocean-going vessels to reach the port of Chester and this area was a landing point for a great range of cargos. Continue ahead passing the full length of the racecourse on the right. At the end of the racecourse cross the pedestrian crossing and take the walls walk as it continues opposite. Across to the left you'll see the buildings of the Crown Court and you will soon draw level with the remains of Chester Castle.

Chester Castle was once a stone fortress and seat of power. Chester was one of the last towns in England to fall to the Normans following the Norman conquest. William the Conqueror ordered the construction of a castle here to dominate the town and the nearby Welsh border. The castle was built in 1070 by Hugh Lupus, first Earl of Chester. The route emerges out to the pavement- this is the only missing section of walls within the entire city enclosure. Cross over the road and follow the paved walkway as it swings left alongside the River Dee on the right. As you approach the river bridge ahead, fork left to cross back over the road and keep right to join the walls walkway once again. Continue up and over the steps of Bridgegate- the main route into the city from Wales.

A little further along you'll reach a semi-circular viewing area which gives a great opportunity to enjoy the views of the River Dee here. Follow the walls running alongside the river and then continue as the route swings left and up some steps to follow the walls as they head north. Further along on the right if you look over the wall you will see the remains of the Roman Gardens. Chester was founded as a Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix in the year 79. After the Romans left in the 5th century, the Saxons fortified the town against the Danes and gave Chester its name. Continue along over the steps over Wolfgate, past the glass viewing bay into the tower and a little distance later you'll reach Eastgate where the walk began.