Site Event/Activity record ECH2403 - Recorded Remains Found at Watergate Street, Chester 1779 (Watergate Baths Site)

Ormerod notes the discovery of a bath house complex, now destroyed comprising several chambers and a tessellated pavement. Pavement was taken to Oulton Park (1). In his Roman Cheshire (p152), Watkin describes a 'Villa' found between 1778 -1779 at the bottom of Watergate St., and notes that there are conflicting accounts of this discovery. It is often reported that the structure was completely destroyed, but an additional portion of it was identified in 1894 (ECH4930) (2). Foote Gower records that an altar, bricks and pavements as well as evidence of two hypocausts were recorded, much of which was subsequently destroyed (3).