Chester Walls South West Section

Grosvenor Road to Castle Drive/ Bridgegate

Average Walking Time = approximately 6 minutes to Castle Drive/ 9 minutes to Bridgegate (not accounting for sightseeing)

24. Selected View: South West Over Little Roodee (Above a  Model of the Grosvenor  Bridge)

The triangle of land here is known as the Little Roodee. It was once part of a larger Roodee but the construction of the Grosvenor Bridge, with its embankment connecting the bridge to the city, bisected it to form the present Roodee and Little Roodee. For much of the year it is a car park but in May it is the site of an annual funfair.

The Grosvenor Bridge had the widest single span stone arch (200 ft) in Europe when it was opened by the (then) Princess Victoria in 1832. It was designed by Thomas Harrison who did not see it completed as he died in 1829. Immediately, beneath the Wall at this point is Harrison's architectural model of the bridge which the Civic Trust placed here in 1979. For a better view of the model you should walk down Castle Drive.

The Riverside Promenade Trail follows the river along the edge of the Little Roodee and passes under the Grosvenor Bridge where it continues along the edge of the Roodee towards the railway and Old Port.

25.Castle

Chester Castle was built by the Normans around 1070. Walking along the Western Walls along Nun's Road its motte (a flat topped, conical mound of earth constructed to enhance the defensive position) is clearly visible. Originally the Castle was based on a wooden tower but was replaced by a stone structure in the 12^th century. It was the headquarters of the Earls of Chester. The Castle has been greatly modified - most notably by the architect Thomas Harrison who rebuilt the Castle including a new Shire Hall (now the law courts) between 1788 and 1822 in a largely neo-classical style. However, in the centre of the Castle is the medieval Agricola Tower with its fine vaulted chapel and which is open to the public. The Castle is also on the Chester Millennium Trail.

Also see the Castle Information Sheet.

26. County Hall

Construction of this building, which houses the County Council, began in the 1930s, halted in the early 1940s and was completed in 1957. It occupies the site of the Castle's gaol built by Thomas Harrison. The short section of Castle Drive in front of this building is the only true break in the circuit of walls - which were demolished in 1901 as part of the layout of Castle Drive.

 

27. Shipgate (site of)

An early medieval gate existed on this site and is believed to have led to a ferry (an alternative to using the Old Dee Bridge). The gateway still exists having been relocated and rebuilt in Grosvenor Park. Also see the Grosvenor Park Information Sheet.