11 - 20: Bear and Billet to Three old Arches

11: Bear and Billet

The historic inn name has been changed recently, but there is no mistaking the many-windowed black and white frontage of this famous 17th century town house, once owned by the Earls of Shrewsbury.

Waymarker: "Old inn sign"

 

12: St. Mary's Church

One of Chester's nine medieval parish churches, this dates mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries and is an excellent example of the Perpendicular style.

Waymarker: "Detail from the Gamull family tombs"

 

 

13: Chester Castle

Built between 1788 and 1822 by Thomas Harrison and largely replacing the medieval castle, these neo-Classical buildings have been described as the best examples of the Greek Revival style of architecture in the country.

Waymarker: Looking through the gateway "designed around view points"

 

14: Agricola Tower

Built in the 12th century as the gatehouse to the inner bailey, the Agricola Tower is one of the oldest surviving parts of the great medieval castle. On the first floor you can see the medieval chapel of St. Mary de Castro.

Waymarker: "Detail from the paintings in the tower"

 

15: Magistrates Court

Built in 1991 to replace the old Magistrates Court in the Town Hall. This is an excellent example of how a truly modern building can make a positive contribution to a historic setting.

Waymarker:The coat of arms "a contrast in silhouettes"

 

16: Gamul House

Behind this 18th century brick frontage lies a late medieval Great Hall, once owned by the Gamull family. The entrance at first floor indicates that the building once had an elevated Row walkway.

Waymarker:"Corn, toll bar and Charles 1"

 

17: Park House

This elegant Georgian town house was built in 1715 by Madam Elizabeth Booth and became one of Chester's leading hotels in the early 19th century. The Duke of Wellington stayed here in 1830.

Waymarker: "A view through the window"

 

18: Tudor House

Although the wall plaque states 1503, this important timber-framed town house was built for a wealthy Chester merchant in the early years of the 17th century.

Waymarker: Timber detail "a variation on a pattern"

 

19: The Falcon

Formerly the town house of the Grosvenor family, this largely 17th century timber building was the first in Chester to lose its elevated Row walkway.

Waymarker:Timber detail "circles and squares"

 

 

20: Three Old Arches

The three arches at Row level are some of the earliest structures to be seen in the Rows and provide a vital clue to what Chester's medieval stone houses looked like from the street.

Waymarker: Shops on two levels "wheat, barley and rye"