Chester city walls, City walls in Chester, England
The city walls form a closed circuit of about two miles around the historic center, with elevated sandstone walkways and views over streets and rooftops. The structure alternates between wide sections and narrower passages as it follows the shape of the old town.
The Romans laid the first fortifications between 70 and 80 CE to protect their garrison. The Saxons reinforced the structure in 907, and the Normans completed the ring in the 12th century with gates and towers.
Locals use the circuit for morning walks or after-work strolls, as the elevated passages above street level offer a quiet route through the center. Along the way visitors sit on the old stones and watch activity in the squares below.
Four main gates provide access to the circuit, and several staircases lead up from streets to the walkway. Most sections are freely walkable, but some steps and uneven surfaces make passage difficult for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
The circuit is the longest fully preserved medieval wall ring in Britain. Every corner shows building techniques from different centuries, from Roman foundations to later additions.
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