 |  | |
|
Home |
Hotels | Guest Houses |
Chester Events |
Visiting Chester |
Parking |
Shopping |
Business |
Chester Pubs |
Restaurants |
Tickets |
Chester Live! |
Community |
Contact Us |
   |
 
|
 |
 
  |
The Roman gardens are located just outside the city walls near the Newgate and Chester Amphitheatre. Access is free and open to all. The Roman Gardens stretch to the River and are next to the City Walls opposite The Amphitheatre and Souters Lane. They can be accessed from Little St John Street near New Gate on the City Walls and from the Groves. The Roman gardens were designed in the year 2000 by Chester City Council, and was made possible by generous donations from the estate of Sally, late Duchess of Westminster.
Clay pipe factory
During the 17th Century this area was home to Chester's flourishing clay tobacco pipe industry. Kilns were setup along the city walls to produce the clay pipes for export and local use. The industry died out with the introduction of cigarettes.
Civil War
As you enter the Gardens on your right is a plaque on one of the Roman Stones. This is the place were on the 22nd of September 1645 parliamentary cannons placed in St Johns Church Yard fired some thirty two shots to create a breach in the walls at this point. A hole was made large enough for ten men to enter at the same time. But the royalist defenders hurriedly collected bedding and wool-packs to block up the gap.
Roman Stones
Roman Stones
Walking past the Civil War breach you come to all collection of Roman stones retrieved from the city walls. The five columns come from the legionary baths exercise hall. There coping stones from the fortress wall and ornamental parts of Roman building.
This stone is an example of Roman Cornice Moulding. To the right is a modern example from Stockport Town Hall
Below is a coping stone that would have been placed on top of the Roman fortress wall.
Roman Hypocaust
Next is a reconstruction of a Roman hypocaust recovered from the legionary baths in Bridge Street.
Roman Columns
These five Roman columns were recovered from the legionary bath exercise hall located just to the north of the legionary baths in the 19th century during the demolition of the Feathers Hotel on Bridge Street. The columns came from inside the building and they were positioned into a aisle similar to a Cathedral.
Cock Pit Hill
Cock Pit Hill was the site of the Old City Cock Fighting Pit
It has been the scene of cock fighting for over 250 years. A 'fair cockpit' was laid out by the Earl of Derby in 1619 and was later replaced by a new City Cock Pit nearer to the Newgate, Just to the north. This circular structure covered in thatch was rebuilt as a 'good brick building' in 1825. People called it the 'little amphitheatre'.
Barnaby's Tower
Next the gardens narrow and you come up against the city wall. From here you can see the foundations of one of the medieval towers. Cannon ball marks have been found on the base of Barnaby's Tower.
Click on the picture to walk the walls.
The Groves
At the end of your gentle walk you come downhill to the Groves. An idle place for a riverside stroll, you can also walk the Groves virtually from here. Click on the picture to walk the Groves. This area is close to the Recorder Hotel. Click here to find out more >>>
Click on the picture to walk the walls.
The Groves
At the end of your gentle walk you come downhill to the Groves. An idle place for a riverside stroll, you can also walk the Groves virtually from here. Click on the picture to walk the Groves. This area is close to the Recorder Hotel. Click here to find out more >>>
If you turn to your right you can walk along the Groves to the Bridgegate and Bridge Street.
[Page 133]
Hosted by Web Hosting UK