A brief history of Chester Castle
Though unconfirmed, it is thought that Chester Castle was mounted on fortifications built by the Saxons. What is known is that the castle was built in 1070, in the motte and bailey style, with a wooden tower.
The castle was built by Hugh Lupus, the first Earl of Chester, also referred to as ‘The Wolf’; who was an important man in Norman England. In Norman style Hugh Lupus built himself a large and imposing castle to ensure that the English people of Chester understood who was in charge.
By the 12th century work was underway, under the watchful eyes of Henry III and Edward I, to improve the habitability of the castle. The original entrance to the inner bailey gave way to the Agricola Tower, an impressive stone tower structure which offered greater protection to those within.
In the 13th century an outer bailey was built to increase the size of the castle and later on a gateway with towers either side were constructed with a draw bridge over a moat.
Also built around this time was the Chapel of St Mary de Castro which had its ancient paintings revealed during refurbishment and removal of whitewash from the walls in the 1980s.
In the 1640’s the castle saw the civil war of England come to its doorstep with the castle holding Royalist soldiers besieged by the soldiers of the Parliamentarians. Upon the finish of the civil war the castle became a prison, like many castles in England at the time, and was also used as a court and tax office.
Chester Castle Today
The medieval shire hall at the castle today holds the Chester Crown Courts. The imposing Grade I listed shire hall building gives an air of grandeur that offers the Crown Courts a magnificent place to uphold the law.
To the left of the shire hall are the old barracks of the castle that have held many Cheshire regiments over hundreds and hundreds of years. Today this building is the home of the Cheshire Military Museum which gives superb insights into the military history of Chester and the surrounding Cheshire areas.
From within the Castle you can see the vestiges of possibly the oldest of the stone towers. Once a tower standing at the centre of the motte with impressive wooden palisade right around its top the Flag Tower is still standing but only its lower half remains.
Visiting Chester Castle
To visit Chester Castle by car follow the A483 towards Wrexham and turn off of the City ring-road at the A5268. If you turn right here and follow the road you will come to Pepper Street which has a car park. Once out of the car park turn west and walk back to the junction of the A483 and A5268 and you will see the Castle to your left. This walk is roughly four to five minutes.
By public transport the castle is about a twenty minute walk from the local train station and is sign posted throughout the city and so is easily located.
Some areas of the castle are still free to roam around but others do have a charge of £3 for an adult (£2 for concessions) and £1 for children.
Opening times are 10am to 5pm daily, with last entry at 4pm. The castle is closed for two weeks over the Christmas period.
Chester CastleChester
Cheshire
CH1 2DN
01244 327 617
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