Building record 12000/41 - Chester City Walls - Wall between Grosvenor Road and Watergate

This section of the western part of the city walls extends from Grosvenor Road to the Watergate (CHER 12000/42). The medieval construction took place in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, with repairs occurring throughout the medieval and post medieval periods. The coursed red sandstone rubble structure was converted into a promenade between 1702 and 1708. The outer face, which is embanked except in the northern part towards the Watergate, displays 8 to 10 courses above the grass bank and approximately 18 courses increasing to 25 courses, further northward. Renewed masonry in the wall face suggests a possible former turret opposite Black Friars. There is a nineteenth century projecting turret that is a stair to the race course. A double embrasure, the openings divided by a rib wall, perhaps dates to the seventeenth century is found immediately south of the Watergate. The masonry suggests that this is the position of south tower of the Watergate. Much of the pavement occupying the former wall walk is level with the ground within the wall (8).

<1> Simpson, F., 1910, The Walls of Chester, /30 (Book). SCH3255.

<2> Pevsner N & Hubbard E, 1971, The Buildings of England: Cheshire, /155 (Book). SCH3078.

<4> Harris, B.E., 1979, Bartholomew City Guides - Chester, /93 (Book). SCH394.

<5> Morris, Rupert H (Rev.), 1894, Chester in the Plantagenet & Tudor Reigns, /245 (Book). SCH946.

<7> Donald Insall Associates, Chester City Walls Conservation Management Plan, R3251 (Client Report). SCH6603.

<8> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 470123 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.