Chester City Walls - Western Section

Watergate to Grosvenor Road

Average Walking Time = approximately 9 minutes (not accounting for sightseeing)

22. Watergate

The present arched Watergate was built in 1788 (designed by Joseph Turner). The medieval gate had earlier often been referred to simply as the 'West Gate'. The term Watergate reflects the fact that the gateway provided access to the river and port. In medieval times the river came up to the City Walls at this point, although by the 18^th century had retreated to the West. Until the rise of Liverpool in the 18^th century, Chester was the most important sea port in the North West of England. The Georgian and Victorian port was connected to the city through the Watergate via New Crane Street. Today this 'Old Port' area is undergoing substantial regeneration.  This includes the construction of a Riverside Promenade Trail between the Old Port and the Groves.

 

23. Selected View: Westwards Over Roodee (Above 'Roman' Quay)

Standing at this spot you are looking over the one of the oldest race courses in Britain. This occupies an open space known as the 'Roodee'. Horse racing began in 1540 but the site has been, and still is, used for all sorts of public events.

In Roman times it was a tidal salt marsh becoming meadowland in the middle ages, gradually extending in area as the Dee silted.

A small stone stump can be seen protruding from the grass this was the base of a cross (or Rood), which marked the boundary between two parishes. The name Roodee is derived from 'Rood' for cross and 'Eye' for island or 'Eg' for meadow.

Below this point is a substantial stone wall. It has been suggested that this was part of a Roman quay although its origins are uncertain

In the distance is Curzon Park perched on the top of the river cliff on the far bank of the Dee. This was developed as an exclusive suburb from the mid 1840s with the coming of the railways. The intention was to attract Liverpool merchants. However, the villas were subsequently occupied by mostly wealthy Chester families, including the Brown's who owned the fashionable Eastgate Street store.