21 - 30: 1 Bridge St to Bishop Lloyds Place

21: 1 Bridge St

These corner buildings at The Cross are the most famous of Chester's Victorian 'black-and-white' revival. They were designed by the local architect T.M. Lockwood and are dated 1888.

Waymarker: From a 1975 postage stamp "a familiar image"

 

22: Browns of Chester

Built in two very different styles - one Classical, the other High Victorian Gothic - these adjacent buildings represent two phases in the development of Browns, Chester's leading store in the 19th century.

Waymarker: "Where architectural styles meet"

 

23: 33 Eastgate Street

Now the National Westminster Bank, this was built as Dixon and Wardell's Chester Bank. The classical design by George Williams was much criticised when it opened in 1860.

Waymarker: Building detail "a classical language"

 

 

24: St. Werburgh Street East

Built 1895-97 by John Douglas, the buildings on the eastern side of the street are widely acknowledged to be the finest examples of Chester's 'black and white' vernacular revival.

Waymarker: Carved detail "fact and fiction"

 

 

25: St. Nicholas' Chapel

A much altered medieval chapel which at various times has been used as the city's Common Hall, Wool Hall, Georgian theatre, Victorian Music Hall and early cinema.

Waymarker: Old theatre bill "the theatre was one of the many lives of this building"

 

26: St Werburgh Row

This range of arcaded shops and offices is a rare example of 1930s architecture in Chester built in 1935 by Matthew Ayrton, who also designed Wembley Stadium.

Waymarker: St Werburgh links the city and the Cathedral "from Nicholson's stained glass window in the Cathedral"

 

27: Chester Cathedral

Founded as a Benedictine Abbey dedicated to St. Werburgh in 1092, this great building became the Cathedral in 1541. Inside are some of the best preserved monastic buildings in the country.

Waymarker: "from medieval carving of elephant and castle in the Choir"

 

28: Commercial Newsrooms and Inn

Designed by Thomas Harrison, architect of Chester Castle, this fine Classical building opened in 1808 and housed a news-room, coffee room and subscription library. Behind it the Commercial Hotel wes built by Harrison at the same time.

Waymarker: "World events were first heard here"

29: 38-42 Watergate Row

The buildings on this side of Watergate Street include some of the best preserved medieval stone town houses in Britain. No 38-42 is the largest, spanning three tenement plots and dates from the early 14th century.

Waymarker: "Hidden interiors"

 

30: Bishop Lloyd's Place

Chester's most ornately carved timber-framed town house was built for George Lloyd (d. 1615), Bishop of Sodor and Man and then of Chester. Open to the public Mon-Thurs. and at other times by appointment.

Waymarker: Carved detail "the Legs of Man"