Pictures of Chester Castle

a Castle in the town of Chester, in the county of Cheshire

About Chester Castle

The extensive ruins of Chester Castle can be found on a hillside overlooking the River Dee in close proximity to where the county borders with Wales. At its interception the castle, built on the orders of William the Conqueror around 1069, the castle was a timber construction. It was Henry III who later added the stone ramparts and towers. The medieval appearance of the castle remained until the latter part of the 18th-century when Henry's battlements and defensive walls were mostly torn down to make way for new buildings to a design by Thomas Harrison who became County Surveyor for Cheshire. Severe in appearance, the buildings completed in 1813 comprised of a new barrack block and the Assize County Court.

Visitors to the castle are often surprised at how much there is to see. Despite the passing centuries and damage inflicted, such as at the time of the English Civil War, there is still much of the original building left. This includes the impressive gatehouse, and although much faded now there are original wall paintings and some beautiful stone vaulting to be seen.

The Agricola Tower houses the Chapel of St. Mary de Castro. This remains consecrated and is used as the regimental chapel of the Cheshire Regiment.

With over one thousand years of history the castle makes an interesting visit. A castle building was used as Chester Mint for the Great Recoinage of 1696 and trials were held in the Great Hall of the Outer Bailey when the castle was used as a prison. Just the Gaoler's quarters and one row of cells remain as a reminder of the days when up to 100 men and women were kept at Chester Castle in conditions often described by reformists of the 18th-century as being little better than "The Black Hole of Calcutta". For those not wishing to make the trek round there are good displays in the guardroom of the Inner Bailey, these tell you of the history of the castle and how it looked over the changing centuries.

Visitors to the gun towers can enjoy superb views over the south and west of the city.

The castle buildings may be visited almost all the year round.

Add attraction to favourites

Submit a history of Chester Castle

Recommended attractions near Chester Castle

	Chester Roman Amphitheatre (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) It is almost impossible to list the magnificent Roman treasures this town possesses. Its extraordinary Roman Amphitheatre is but..... Information \| Pictures (2) \| Hotels
	Roman Gardens (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) The Roman Garden, thus called is a somewhat misleading name. It was certainly not here in Roman times, but is a left-over from..... Information \| Pictures (3) \| Hotels
	DEWA Roman Experience (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) This is where you really can take a trip back into history, giving full reign to your imagination whilst discovering just what..... Information \| Hotels
	Chester Cathedral (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) A Minster was built here in the 10th-century to hold the remains of St.Werburgh, a Mercian princess who died in 707...... Information \| Pictures (32) \| Hotels
	Chester Heritage Centre (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) .. Information \| Hotels

All attractions in Cheshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns & villages near Chester Castle

	Chester (0.7 miles, 1.1 km) Chester, the county town of Cheshire, is one of the oldest and most complete walled cities with fantastic architecture and history... Information \| Pictures (209) \| Hotels
	Tarporley (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction E) Attractive large village which developed as a coaching stop on the main London to Liverpool road during the 17th and 18th-centuries... Information \| Pictures (10) \| Hotels
	Heswall (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction NW) Heswall, although situated on the banks of the River Dee remains very much part of Merseyside. It is fortunate to occupy a spacious area fringed by green wooded countryside, and is close to sands commencing at near-by Thurstaston... Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
	Liverpool (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction N) From early humble origins Liverpool, over the centuries has grown and developed to become one of the most exciting cities to visit in Europe. Liverpool, rich though it is in..... Information \| Pictures (300) \| Hotels
	Nantwich (17.2 miles, 27.7 km, direction SE) Today, Nantwich is a busy bustling place of business and commerce that still manages to retain its unique 'Elizabethan' flavour... Information \| Pictures (12) \| Hotels

All towns in Cheshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Chester Station	(0.8 miles, 1.2 km)
Bache Station	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
M53 Junction 12	(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction NE)
M53 Junction 11 / M56 Junction 15	(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction N)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport	(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction N)
Manchester Airport	(28.2 miles, 45.4 km, direction NE)
Chester Castle to London	(164.5 miles, 264.7 km, direction SE)

Hotels near Chester Castle

	The Blossoms Hotel St John St, Chester, Cheshire, England (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) Chester’s oldest hotel recently completed a multimillion pound refurbishment. This stylish city centre hotel features new rooms, as well as a modern design palate with a traditional hint. The hotel ... More info and book online.. Price from £85.00
	The Chester Grosvenor And Spa Eastgate Street, Eastgate, Chester, Cheshire, England (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) Situated in the heart of historic Chester, this is the only 5 red star hotel in the north-west of England. The hotel is owned and named after the family of the Duke of Westminster. 80 individually ... More info and book online.. Price from £159.00
	Crowne Plaza Chester Trinity Street, Chester, Cheshire, England (0.5 miles, 0.9 km) The Crowne Plaza Chester is situated within the walls of this historic and beautiful city. The 160 bedroom hotel offers a contemporary restaurant and bar, offering a diverse menu of food & wine. I... More info and book online.. Price from £75.00
	Eaton Hotel Non Smoking 29-31 City Road, Chester, Cheshire, England (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) In the heart of the city and with secure parking, the Eaton hotel offers the ideal location for visiting Chester. The immediate vicinity offers many bars and restaurants, the main shops being just 5 m... More info and book online.. Price from £34.00
	Mill Hotel & Spa Milton Street, Chester, Cheshire, England (0.6 miles, 1.0 km) The Mill Hotel & Spa is a City Centre Hotel located alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. Five options to Dine, including the Award winning Canaletto Restaurant, Brasserie Flambe Steak Restaurant, Pep... More info and book online.. Price from £60.00