Visit to Chester – 21st July 2012

Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, and was granted city status in 1541. It was founded as a Roman fort with the name Deya Victrixin the year 79 by the Romans. Chester's four main roads, Eastgate, Northgate, Watergate and Bridge, follow routes laid out at this time – almost 2,000 years ago. After the Romans left in the 5th century, the Saxons fortified the town against the Danes and gave Chester its name. 

  

 

Chester has a number of medieval buildings, but some of the black-and-white buildings within the city centre are actually Victorian restorations. Chester is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. Apart from a 100-metre (330 ft) section, the listed Grade I walls are almost complete

The more unusual landmarks in the city are the city walls and the black-and-white architecture. The walls encircle the bounds of the medieval city with the full circuit measuring nearly 2 miles (3 km).  On East gate is East gate clock which is said to be the most photographed clock in England after Big Ben.

 The Rows are unique in Britain; they consist of buildings with shops or dwellings on the lowest two storeys. The shops or dwellings on the ground floor are often lower than the street and are entered by steps, which sometimes lead to a crypt like vault. Those on the first floor are entered behind a continuous walkway, often with a sloping shelf between the walkway and the railings overlooking the street. Much of the architecture of central Chester looks medieval and some of it is. But by far the greatest part of it, including most of the black-and-white buildings, is Victorian.

 

 The most prominent buildings in the city centre are the town hall and the cathedral. The town hall was opened in 1869. It is in Gothic Revival style and has a tower and a short spire. The cathedral dates back to the Norman era, with additions made most centuries since. A series of major restorations took place in the 19th century and in 1975 a separate bell tower was opened.

 

Roman remains can still be found in the city, particularly in the basements of some of the buildings and in the lower parts of the northern section of the city walls. The most important Roman feature is the amphitheatre just outside the walls which is undergoing archaeological investigation.  Roman artefacts are on display in the Roman Gardens which run parallel to the city walls from New gate to the River Dee.