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Navigation : Home > Visiting Chester >Map >Eastgate Street > The Eastgate Clock

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'The second most photographed clock in the world after Big Ben' Standing majestically close to the city centre of Chester on Eastgate Street, is the Eastgate clock. Chester's best known land mark and the second most photographed clock in the world after Big Ben. The clock was placed on the Eastgate in 1899 and commemorates Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee of 1897. The wrought-iron was made by John Douglas's cousin James Swindley of Handbridge. This clock is by J. B. Joyce of Whitchurch. Until 1974 it was hand wound once a week. The Roman Eastgate (Porta Principia Sinistra) The story of the Eastgate and the Eastgate clock starts in AD43 with the foundation of the Roman Fortress of Dewa. Roman Eastgate or 'Porta Principia Sinistra' was constructed of wood and then later of stone. The Roman Eastgate had two arches and a statue of Mars at the centre. Below is a model of the entrance in the Grosvenor Museum. The Medieval Eastgate The medieval Eastgate was constructed in Norman times. The entrance was made narrow so that it was hard to storm the gate by force. The sargentcy of the gate was given to Henry De Bradford by Edward the first. The structure made of local sandstone was sadly taken down because the entrance was restricting the flow of traffic into the city centre. The Arch The present gateway was constructed by Lord Grosvenor in 1769. When the Medieval Eastgate was taken down. Traces of the Roman arches were found inside the later structure. The clock was added later in 1897 and was presented to the city by Edward Evans-Lloyd, Citizen and Freeman. The Street A view from the Eastgate looking west up Eastgate Street A view from the Eastgate looking East down Foregate Street The Eastgate clock is accessible from Eastgate Street by staircases either side of the road next to the arch. Join the Walls Here Click on the pictures below to join the walls walk >>> The Four Main Gates of Chester The Watergate The Northgate The Bridgegate The Eastgate Travel Utilities : Car Hire | Train Tickets | Coach Tickets | EuroStar | Ferry | Travel Insurance | Holiday Cottage [Page 48] | Click for Top | T&C's | Hotels | B & B's | Hostels| Donations | Free Brochure| Tours| Chester Market | Sitemap >