Site Event/Activity record ECH2487 - Excavations in Foregate Street (Old Queen's Head Hotel), 1938 (Chester)

Salvage recording carried out by Newstead on the site of the Old Queen's Head Hotel in Foregate Street in 1938 following the demolition of the existing structure and prior to the redevelopment of the site for a new hotel. The evidence recovered was primarily medieval and post medieval in date, however, quantities of Roman finds were discovered in a deposit 0.8m thick, c2.2m below present ground level. No structural evidence was recovered although finds consisted of samian and coarse ware, amphorae, a dozen coins from Vespasian to Constantine I, and an implement of stags horn were reported (1). Similar finds were also reported from this location in 1904, recovered under unknown circumstances (2). Medieval structural evidence was encountered during the removal of the front facade of the hotel revealing a half timbered gable and wattle and daub infill, possibly 15th century in date. The site was also rich in medieval and post medieval finds from the 13th century onwards. (2)