Walls Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair users can access the Walls at several locations. However, unfortunately, because of their scheduled ancient monument status, modifications to the Walls are severely restricted and there are many barriers affecting wheelchair users. For example, there are steps either side of each of the main gates along the Walls 'walkway'. Also, one characteristic of the monument is a parapet which some wheelchair users may find it difficult to see over in places. On many of the sections it is likely that wheelchair users would need to retrace their route because there is only one wheelchair access point for the section in question or because of unsuitable approaches.

The following provides a summary of access points and routes, including a downloadable Walls Wheelchair Access Map (87 kb)  to help wheelchair users plan a visit and navigate the monument. Wheelchair users are advised to use both the map and text.

• North East Section: Eastgate to Northgate
• Northern Section: Northgate to St Martin's Gate
• North West Section: St Martin's Gate to Watergate
• Western Section: Watergate to Grosvenor Road
• South West Section: Grosvenor Road to Castle Drive /Bridgegate 
• Southern Section: Bridgegate to Wishing Steps
• Eastern Section: Wishing Steps to Eastgate

Please note: the map includes selected car parks near to the Walls including Frodsham Street Car Park which is reserved for Blue Badge holders. Click here for details about other City Centre car parks and Park and Ride bus stops.

North East Section: Eastgate to Northgate

This is probably the most accessible section for those wheelchair users arriving by car since it is located near to Frodsham Street Car Park which is reserved for Blue Badge holders.

There are two suitable wheelchair access points:

Wheelchair Access Point:Ramp next to Bell Tower - Links With: St Werburgh Street via Bell Tower Walk.

Wheelchair Access Point: Ramp from Kaleyards Gate. - Links With: Frodsham Street Car Park via Kaleyards Gate and ramp from/ to the car park.
Comments:An alternative route to the ramp from Abbey Gateway via Abbey Street is not recommended because of cobbles and kerbs.

Wheelchair users will be able to get within a few metres of the Eastgate Clock, but unfortunately access to the top of the Eastgate is not possible because of steps.

Wheelchair users can travel as far as the Northgate, but unfortunately because of steps this is as far as wheelchair users can get and it will be necessary to retrace the route.

However, this is a very pleasant stretch and sights along it include the Cathedral, Bell Tower, Deanery Fields, King Charles Tower, Canal and the Bluecoat School.

North East Section: Eastgate to Northgate

Northern Section: Northgate to St Martin's Gate

Unfortunately, this section is not accessible to wheelchair users. Access to the monument is only possible via steps along this stretch and there are steps at either side of both the Northgate and St Martin's Gate which obstruct the route.

Northern Section: Northgate to St Martin's Gate

North West Section: St Martin's Gate to Watergate

While much of the section of Wall along City Walls Road is at street level (eg opposite the former Infirmary Building and the Queen's School), negotiating the kerb can be problematic currently due to the lack of dropped kerbs.

The following is considered to represent the most suitable access point:

Wheelchair Access Point:Dropped Kerb below Watergate at Watergate Street/ City Walls Road junction - Links With: Watergate Street (into City Centre) or New Crane Street (and Crane Street Car Park).
Comments:Another dropped kerb is located on the other side of the junction to access Watergate Street. Crane Street Car Park has four hours free parking for Blue Badge Holders. Note: there are no designated wheelchair accessible parking bays.

Wheelchair users can travel as far as St Martin's Gate, but unfortunately because of steps this is as far as wheelchair users can get and it will be necessary to retrace the route. However, this is a pleasant stretch and sights along it include the Queen's School and old Infirmary; views over to the Old Port and North Wales; the Railway and Canal Basin; Bonewaldesthorne's and Water Towers, and Pemberton's Parlour. Access to the Watergate is also obstructed by steps.

North West Section: St Martin's Gate to Watergate

Western Section: Watergate to Grosvenor Road

While all of the section of Wall along Nuns Road is at street level, negotiating the kerb can be problematic currently due to the lack of dropped kerbs.

The following is considered to represent the most suitable access point:

Wheelchair Access Point:Dropped Kerb at crossing over Grosvenor Road - Links With: Grosvenor Road and Grosvenor Street into City Centre. It also links with the South West section of the Walls (see below).
Comments:Another dropped kerb is located on the other side of the crossing.

Wheelchair users can travel as far as the Watergate, but unfortunately because of steps this is as far as wheelchair users can get and it will be necessary to retrace the route. However, this is a pleasant stretch and sights along it include picturesque views across the Roodee.

Western Section: Watergate to Grosvenor Road

South West Section: Grosvenor Road to Castle Drive (With Level Pavement To Bridgegate)

There is access onto the Walls at both ends of this stretch as follows:

Wheelchair Access Point:Level access on Grosvenor Road. - Links With: Grosvenor Road and Grosvenor Street into the City Centre. It also links to the Little Roodee Car Park via the upper section of Castle Drive. Note: there are some wheelchair accessible bays near to the road entrance of the Car Park. Detailed Access Map of South West Section A (76 kb).

Comments: Dropped kerbs in this area allow wheelchair users to travel along the upper section of Castle Drive. However, there is a fairly challenging gradient up to Grosvenor Road so that this might be a better route to return by. Also, it is recommended that the pavement on the western side of Castle Drive is used because of lamp posts and other obstructions on the eastern side.

Wheelchair Access Point: Ramp to/ from Castle Drive. - Links With: Castle Drive and the City Centre via Lower Bridge Street. Alternatively, it links with the Groves, or with Handbridge via the Old Dee Bridge.

It is also possible to access the Little Roodee Car Park (which has wheelchair accessible parking bays) via south side of Castle Drive crossing at Bridgegate to travel along the northern side of Castle Drive from Bridgegate, passing County Hall, to reach the ramp. Please refer to the detailed PDF map above. 
Comments: Kerbs along Castle Drive are likely to be problematic. Suitable dropped kerbs to access the ramp are not encountered until Old Dee Bridge is reached. Crossing here will allow wheelchair users to then travel to the ramp via the northern side of Castle Drive adjacent to County Hall. Note: Dropped kerbs, though present, are not clearly defined near the Old Dee Bridge. Please refer to the detailed PDF map above. 

While there are dropped kerbs that allow access from the Little Roodee Car Park to the upper section of Castle Drive, using these to access the ramp on the lower section of Castle Drive is problematic. Part of the pavement along northern side of the lower section of Castle Drive (to the west of the ramp) is obstructed by trees and lamp posts. Please refer to the detailed PDF map above. 

This is a pleasant stretch and sights along it include views of the Grosvenor Bridge and Castle. Also, the lower section of Castle Drive is a pleasant open space with picturesque views of the river.

South West Section: Grosvenor Road to Castle Drive /Bridgegate 

Southern Section: Bridgegate to Wishing Steps

Although there is a ramp leading up to the Bridgegate from Castle Drive, this is immediately obstructed at the top by steps to the Bridgegate.

However, there is otherwise access onto the Walls at both ends of this stretch as follows:

Wheelchair Access Point:'Ramp' (gently sloped passageway) from Eastern side of Lower Bridge Street (Bridge Place) - Links With: Lower Bridge Street or alternatively Handbridge via Old Dee Bridge.
Comments: This can also be accessed from the Little Roodee Car Park (which has some wheelchair accessible bays) via the Southern side of Castle Drive, crossing at the Old Dee Bridge. Please refer to the detailed PDF map above. 

Wheelchair Access Point: Gently sloped passageway to/ from Park Street - Links With: Pepper Street/ Little St John Street via Roman Gardens and Park Street. Note: there is a doorway in the Walls between the Roman Gardens and Park Street.
Comments: Possible routes from Lower Bridge Street via Duke Street or along the Northern part of Park Street are not recommended because of a combination of high kerbs, narrow pavements and other obstructions.

This is a particularly pleasant stretch and sights along it include the River Dee, Weir and Salmon Steps, Old Dee Bridge, Round Tower, Recorder's Steps and Groves.

The route through the Roman Gardens also affords the opportunity to see numerous Roman remains in an attractive setting as well as the Civil War breach in the Wall.

Access to the Bridgegate is obstructed by steps. The Wishing Steps also prevent wheelchair access to the next section of the Wall towards the Newgate.

Southern Section: Bridgegate to Wishing Steps

Eastern Section: Wishing Steps to Newgate

Unfortunately, although there is a ramp from Park Street up to this section of the Walls, this has a very steep gradient which may not be suitable for some wheelchair users. This can be reached from Pepper Street/ Little St John Street via the Roman Gardens. Note: there is a doorway in the Walls between the Roman Gardens and Park Street.

There are, regrettably, no other suitable access points along this stretch.

Also, while there is a bridge across Park Street (near to the Newgate) from the NCP Pepper Street Car Park to the Walls, this is not an accessible route for wheelchair users.

Should wheelchair users consider the ramp to be sufficiently accessible their route along this section of the Walls will need to be retraced - since at one end it is blocked by the Wishing Steps and at the other end by steps to the Newgate.

This section of the Wall has good views across the Groves and Roman Gardens. The route through the Roman Gardens also affords the opportunity to see numerous Roman remains in an attractive setting as well as the Civil War breach in the Wall.

Eastern Section: Newgate to Eastgate

This section is accessible from the following point:

Wheelchair Access Point:Ramp/ Bridge from/ to Grosvenor Shopping Mall - Links With: Eastgate Street
Comments via gently sloping or level surfaces.

This is perhaps the least picturesque stretch of the Wall, although near to the Newgate there are views across the Amphitheatre and of the Newgate. However, please note that there is a high parapet along the Wall at this point and some wheelchair users may not be able to appreciate the view. Also, the 'walkway' at this point is narrow.

Furthermore, wheelchair users will need to retrace their route and return via the Grosvenor Mall as there are no other access points. Access to both the Newgate and the Eastgate are obstructed by steps.

Eastern Section: Wishing Steps to Eastgate