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The Chester City Walls

Official Visitor Information Centre, Northgate Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HJ

About this venue

The city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. Chester is the only city in Britain that retains the full circuit of its ancient defensive walls. Walking the complete circuit gives wondrous views down into the city and gives a fantastic insight into Chester's long history.

Access Guide

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Introduction

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Chester.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Frodsham Street.
    • The car park is located in Frodsham Street.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There are various parking sites around the walls.
    • Chester City Council has two parking areas dedicated to Blue Badge holders in Frodsham Street and Hamilton Place car parks (4 hour maximum stay).
    • In addition, Blue Badge holders may park free of charge for up to 4 hours in any City Council pay and display car park with the exception of Trinity Street.

Access Point - Frodsham Street Car Park (Kaleyards)

  • Access from Frodsham Street car park is via a steep sloped pathway or 4 deep steps with handrails on both sides (photographs 2 and 3).
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • The sloped pathway overcomes the steps.
  • There is an entrance door here that is permanently held open and is 110cm wide (photograph 4).
  • There is a handrail going up to the right at the door.
  • This entrance is closed at 21:00 each evening.

Access Point - Bell Tower Walk

  • Bell Tower Walk is just off St Werburgh Street, in Chester City centre.
  • Access is via a steep ramped pathway that is 140cm wide with a handrail on the right going up.
  • There are also 6 deep steps with a handrail going up on the right.
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • The ramped pathway overcomes the steps.

Access Point - Foregate Street

  • The access point on Foregate Street is under the Eastgate Clock.
  • There are 15+ deep steps with handrails on both sides.
  • There are further deep steps to access the clock viewing point.
  • The handrails here only partly cover the steps going up.
  • All of the steps here are not clearly marked.

Access Point - Grosvenor Shopping Centre (Newgate Walk)

  • There is level access from the Grosvenor Shopping Centre.
  • Access here is via double heavy doors that open towards you (pull).
  • The doors have an opening width of 130cm.
  • The shopping centre is open 09:00 - 17:30 Monday to Saturday and 11:00-17:00 on Sundays.

Access Point - Park Street

  • Access to the walls via Park Street is by a steep ramped pathway that is 110cm wide (photograph 2).
  • The pathway has a handrail going up on the right.
  • There are also 12 deep steps here with a handrail on the left going up.
  • The steps are not clearly marked (photograph 3).
  • The ramped pathway overcomes the steps.
  • This access point could also be used as a drop off point as there are parking spaces limited to 30 minutes.

Access Points - The Groves and Lower Bridge Street

  • Access at The Groves is via 15+ deep steps with a handrail on the left going up (photograph 1).
  • This access point is opposite the River Dee.
  • There is also a slight ramped pathway leading from Lower Bridge Street to the walls (photographs 2 and 3).

Access Point - Castle Drive

  • Access here is via a steep ramped pathway off Castle Drive.
  • There is level access at the top of the ramped pathway, with a 150 x 150 turning point.
  • The pathway goes around Chester Castle.

Access Point - Little Roodee Car Park (Racecourse)

  • There is a slight ramped pathway to gain access to the walls here, opposite Little Roodee car park on Grosvenor Road.
  • This access point also provides information on the walls route.

Access Point - City Walls Road

  • Access to the City Walls Road route is via slight ramped pathway.
  • Along this route there is 4 deep steps (photograph 3).
  • Along this part of the route there is ongoing construction work which does require you to leave the walls at Canning Street and re-join the route at Northgate Street via15+ deep steps with a handrail on the right going up (photographs 4 and 5).

Walkways

  • Along the 2 mile route there easy to steep slopes/ramps and deep steps at various points.
  • The western part of the route is at pavement level.