Watergate, Chester
The Watergate in Chester is a notable 18th-century structure forming part of the city walls and spanning the A548 road between Watergate Street and New Crane Street. A key feature of Chester鈥檚 architectural history, it carries a footpath above the road and stands as a Grade I listed building on the National Heritage List for England.
Constructed between 1788 and 1790 for the Chester City Council, the Watergate replaced a medieval gate that was badly damaged during the Siege of Chester in the English Civil War. Renowned architect Joseph Turner designed the new gate, which was necessary after the old structure was deemed 鈥渄angerously ruinous鈥� and subsequently demolished. The original medieval gate was once heavily fortified with double doors, a portcullis, and a drawbridge, serving as a crucial customs point where goods passed through and tolls were levied.
The Watergate is built in red sandstone ashlar and features a basket arch with short, rusticated voussoirs. Above the arch, the parapet consists of elegant stone balusters interspersed with decorative panels, highlighting the gate鈥檚 refined 18th-century style. A now-dry drinking fountain, dated 1857, is attached to the gate鈥檚 northern abutment, reflecting the structure's later additions.
Historically, the River Dee approached right up to the Watergate, with a quay situated just outside the medieval gate. This allowed for the loading and unloading of goods directly into the town. However, as the river silted and receded over time, the quay area was replaced with an open space known as Watergate Square.
Today, the Watergate stands as a fine example of Chester鈥檚 enduring heritage and Georgian architectural ingenuity. It remains an integral part of the city walls, offering visitors a tangible link to Chester's medieval past and its 18th-century evolution.
Constructed between 1788 and 1790 for the Chester City Council, the Watergate replaced a medieval gate that was badly damaged during the Siege of Chester in the English Civil War. Renowned architect Joseph Turner designed the new gate, which was necessary after the old structure was deemed 鈥渄angerously ruinous鈥� and subsequently demolished. The original medieval gate was once heavily fortified with double doors, a portcullis, and a drawbridge, serving as a crucial customs point where goods passed through and tolls were levied.
The Watergate is built in red sandstone ashlar and features a basket arch with short, rusticated voussoirs. Above the arch, the parapet consists of elegant stone balusters interspersed with decorative panels, highlighting the gate鈥檚 refined 18th-century style. A now-dry drinking fountain, dated 1857, is attached to the gate鈥檚 northern abutment, reflecting the structure's later additions.
Historically, the River Dee approached right up to the Watergate, with a quay situated just outside the medieval gate. This allowed for the loading and unloading of goods directly into the town. However, as the river silted and receded over time, the quay area was replaced with an open space known as Watergate Square.
Today, the Watergate stands as a fine example of Chester鈥檚 enduring heritage and Georgian architectural ingenuity. It remains an integral part of the city walls, offering visitors a tangible link to Chester's medieval past and its 18th-century evolution.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chester. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Watergate on Map
Sight Name: Watergate
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Chester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chester's City Walls
Chester City Walls are the oldest, longest and most complete (missing only just about 100 meters) historic defensive structure in Britain. Walking the full circuit of this ancient fortification provides wondrous views, wherever you choose to go, down into the city, and offers a fantastic insight into Chester's rich history.
First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Chester's Black-and-white Architecture Tour
While the origins of Chester date back to Roman Times, much of the city center, and by far the greatest part of it, looks medieval. Indeed, if you visit the city, the first thing you notice is the magnificent black-and-white architecture. Despite their appearance, however, the majority of these buildings are Victorian by the time of construction.
The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chester Introduction Walking Tour
Chester is a walled city in Cheshire. It was originally founded in 79 AD as a Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix. It was garrisoned until the 4th century when it was abandoned by the Romans. It is thought that the area was settled by Anglo-Saxons during medieval times. It was also briefly occupied by the Danes.
Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles