Chester City Walls - Eastern Section 2

Newgate to Eastgate

Average Walking Time = approximately 3 minutes (not accounting for sightseeing)

39. Newgate

Built in 1937-38 to a neo-gothic design. Its construction was part of a traffic improvement scheme that allowed traffic around the Southern side of the city centre. The gate affords excellent views Eastwards across the Roman Amphitheatre to St John's Church. These features are also on the Chester Millennium Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

40. Wolfgate

The Wolfgate was also known as the 'Newgate' after the medieval gate was replaced in the 17^th century. It was rebuilt again in the 18^th century. There may have been a gate here since Saxon times, which provided a route between the two important ecclesiastical centres of St John's (at one time a Cathedral) and St Werburgh's (the former Abbey).

 

 

 

 

 

41. Selected View: From Wall near Newgate (or from Newgate) across the Amphitheatre

The Wall near to the Newgate, and the Newgate itself, provide excellent vantage points to see the excavated remains of Chester's Roman Amphitheatre. Excavations have revealed that there were two amphitheatres, both constructed primarily in stone. The first was built around 80-100 AD and the second during the third century AD. The latter was the largest amphitheatre in Roman Britain.

Beyond the Amphitheatre is St John's Church. Although its external appearance is typically Victorian its interior remains largely Norman. The close proximity of this church to the Amphitheatre, and the unusual location of such a major church outside the City Walls, may be associated with early Christian martyrs those who were put to death in the Amphitheatre by the Roman authorities because of their faith.

Beyond the church is Grosvenor Park. A large public space, this land may once have been part of St John's religious lands. It was presented to the city by the Marquess of Westminster (head of the Grosvenor family) in 1867. Also see the Grosvenor Park Information Sheet.

Across the road from the Amphitheatre is the Chester Visitor Centre. This was originally built as a late Victorian school but now houses a café, visitor information centre and contains displays on Chester.

You can take a detour to visit these sites and take refreshment at the visitor centre by descending the walls by steps on the Southern side of Newgate. Also visit the Amphitheatre Project website (external linK) for information about recent finds.

 

42. Roman Angle Tower

The Roman fortress had a tower at each corner. These angle towers provided wide views across the surrounding countryside. The foundations of the South East Angle Tower survive having been excavated in 1930 and now can be seen at the base of the Wall. This Tower was situated inside the curtain wall of the fort showing that the current Wall and that of the Roman period differ slightly at this point.

 

43. Thimbleby's Tower

A medieval watch tower also known as the Wolf Tower. It seems to have been of little use since medieval times except perhaps during the Civil War. The structure was given its current pitched roof in 1994.