Chester City Walls Trail
Chester’s City Walls form virtually a complete 2 mile (3 km) circuit around the city centre. They provide an enjoyable route to see many of the city’s key heritage sites.
Charming Chester City Walls are a historical 2000 years old wall which one can walk on top of, around Chester city. It is impressive to be on top of such an antique structure which is relatively intact, and withstood the test of time. We completed 3 quarters of the wall in 35 mins, but had to stop to meet up with our tour group. The views of the cathedral and waterway were enhanced by the gorgeous sunny weather which we were blessed with.
Having grown up local to Chester I used to walk them a few times a year but haven't done so for maybe 8 years and this evening it brought back all the memories with the veiws off the walls and the local land mark's. The perfect way to get around the city, easy to hop on and off at different points to explore some shops and grab some food.
We did this for my birthday in January when we stayed for a couple of days. Our Chester visits usually consist of a short trip to the shops by train from Liverpool so it was lovely to spend quality time in Chester. While walking the walls we witnessed a school party being marched around by a Roman legionnaire, I’ve never seen children so well behaved my husband and I were terrified. It’s a lovely walk and you get a real feel of the history Chester is seeped in.
Here we provide an account of the key features on or near the walls together with an explanation of selected views. These are organised by convenient sections in an anticlockwise direction from the Eastgate. Click above to start the tour or choose a section below.
Introduction
Chester’s Walls form the most complete circuit of walls in Britain so that Chester is quite rightly renowned as ‘The Walled City’. They are a scheduled ancient monument; a designation which recognises their archaeological importance and ensures that they are protected for the future. They originate from Roman times although they have experienced a rich history since including: Saxon and medieval rebuilding and extensions, Civil War conflict and Georgian elegance. By taking a walk on the walls, you are stepping in the footsteps of bygone defenders of the city and strolling on a promenade (and ‘viewing platform’) considered as being most fashionable in the 18th century.
Experiencing the Walls
The Walls form a remarkable 2 mile (3km) circular walk around the historic city. There are numerous entry and exit points. Using them is free and, as a public thoroughfare, they are open at all times. They can be experienced as a complete walk or in shorter, convenient sections. A walk around the complete circuit takes about an hour but may take longer (perhaps two hours or more) if you want to stop and take in the sights.
There are also opportunities to access other areas of the city (within and without the Walls) permitting a visit to the city’s varied selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars; or an exploration of other attractive near-by areas of Chester such as the Rows, Cathedral, Roman Gardens, Roman Amphitheatre, Groves, River Dee, Castle, Old Port and Canal.
A stroll on the Walls can be an invigorating outdoor adventure. Not only can you encounter a host of historic features (such as the tower where King Charles is thought to have watched his forces defeated by Parliamentary troops in 1645), but also discover various vantage points with striking views across the city. There are also (from the Western Walls) spectacular panoramas across to the Clwydian Hills of North Wales.
Print off these web pages (which provide a map of the Walls, an outline history and identify key sites) to help you enjoy your visit. Also, look out for panels around the walls which provide information on directions and distances, and present information on the history of that particular location.
Please note: There are no seats, toilets or catering establishments directly on the walls.
Information Panels
As you explore the Walls watch out for the metal panels that tell stories about different parts of the route and help identify where you are. These panels have been designed to fit with the walls status as a scheduled ancient monument. They are intended to be sympathetic to the fabric and appearance of the Wall. Also, they are there to be touched. Visitors (especially youngsters) are encouraged to bring paper and crayons to take rubbings of their raised text and illustrations.
Further Information
For other information on the History of Chester visit the Grosvenor Museum, and Chester History and Heritage. Books, including those by local historians, which provide further detail, can be purchased from these venues, the Tourist Information Centre at the Town Hall, and most city centre bookshops. Also visit Virtual Chester for a virtual tour of the city.