Building record 12000/29 - Chester City Walls - Drum Tower East of Bridgegate

The outer half of an unnamed Drum Tower of coursed red sandstone rubble is found to the east of the Bridge Gate (CHER 12000/32), and is thought to date to the thirteenth century. It is shown on maps by Braun in 1580, Speed’s plan of 1610 and Lavaux’s plan of 1745, but is not labelled on any of these plans. Although medieval in origin, it, like the rest of the wall’s circuit, was converted into a raised promenade between 1702 and 1708, and was subject to repairs at various times throughout the medieval and post medieval periods. There is a nineteenth century mock crenellation. The tower projects as a semi-circle to the south from the wall, with its platform at wall walk level; it was brought down to that level between 1876 and 1877 (4).

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ46NW26.17/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<2> Donald Insall Associates, Chester City Walls Conservation Management Plan, r3251 (Client Report). SCH6603.

<3> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<4> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions, p224 (Book). SCH6522.