Editing Chester (section)

==Landmarks and tourist attractions==
{{see also|Grade I listed buildings in Chester}}
[[File:Chester Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 802547.jpg|thumb|left|[[Chester Town Hall]]]]
The more unusual landmarks in the city are the [[Chester city walls|city walls]], the [[Chester Rows|Rows]] and the black-and-white architecture. The walls encircle the bounds of the medieval city and constitute the most complete city walls in Britain,<ref name=m43>{{harvnb|Morriss|1993|p=43}}</ref> the full circuit measuring nearly {{convert|2|mi|km|0}}.<ref>{{harvnb|Bilsborough|1983|p=9}}</ref> The only break in the circuit is in the south-west section in front of [[County Hall, Chester|County Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/chester_city_walls_trail/south_west_section.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424065755/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/chester_city_walls_trail/south_west_section.aspx |archive-date=24 April 2008 |title=Chester Walls South West Section |access-date=15 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> A footpath runs along the top of the walls, crossing roads by bridges over Eastgate, [[Northgate, Chester|Northgate]], St Martin's Gate, [[Watergate, Chester|Watergate]], [[Bridgegate, Chester|Bridgegate]], [[Newgate, Chester|Newgate]],<ref>{{cite web |last=No |first=Magphen |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/magphen/5187740203/ |title=Chester Newgate at night &#124; Flickr – Photo Sharing! |publisher=Flickr |date=13 December 2011 |access-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408043115/https://www.flickr.com/photos/magphen/5187740203/ |archive-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Wolf Gate, and passing a series of structures, namely [[Phoenix Tower, Chester|Phoenix Tower]] (or King Charles' Tower), [[Morgan's Mount]], the Goblin Tower (or [[Pemberton's Parlour]]) and [[Bonewaldesthorne's Tower]] with a spur leading to the [[Water Tower, Chester|Water Tower]] and [[Thimbleby's Tower]].<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|pp=154–156}}</ref> On Eastgate is [[Eastgate and Eastgate Clock|Eastgate Clock]], which is said to be the most photographed clock face in England after those that share the tower with [[Clock Tower, Palace of Westminster|Big Ben]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum/information_sheets/eastgate_clock.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019012722/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum/information_sheets/eastgate_clock.aspx |archive-date=19 October 2007 |title=Information Sheet: Eastgate Clock |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref>
[[File:Northgate Street 29-31.jpeg|thumb|[[Black-and-white Revival architecture|Black-and-white architecture]] at [[3–31 Northgate Street, Chester|29–31&nbsp;Northgate]]]]
The Rows are unique in Britain.<ref>{{harvnb|Bilsborough|1983|p=17}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Ward|2009|p=50}}</ref> They consist of buildings with shops or dwellings on the lowest two storeys. The shops or dwellings on the ground floor are often lower than the street and are entered by steps, which sometimes lead to a [[crypt]]-like [[Vault (architecture)|vault]]. Those on the first floor are entered behind a continuous walkway, often with a sloping shelf between the walkway and the railings overlooking the street.<ref>{{harvnb|Morriss|1993|pp=13–14}}</ref> Much of the architecture of central Chester looks medieval and some of it is, but by far the greater part of it, including most of the black-and-white buildings, is [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]], a result of what [[Nikolaus Pevsner|Pevsner]] termed the "[[black-and-white revival]]" pioneered by architects [[John Douglas (English architect)|John Douglas]] and [[Thomas Meakin Lockwood|T.M. Lockwood]].<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|pp=38–39, 130–131}}</ref>

The most prominent buildings in the city centre are the [[Chester Town Hall|town hall]] and the [[Chester Cathedral|cathedral]]. The town hall was opened in 1869. It is in [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] style and has a tower and a short spire.<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|p=158}}</ref> The cathedral was formerly the church of [[St Werburgh's Abbey]]. Its architecture dates back to the [[Norman architecture|Norman]] era, with additions made most centuries since. A series of major restorations took place in the 19th&nbsp;century, and in 1975, a separate bell tower was opened. The elaborately carved [[Canopy (building)|canopies]] of the choir stalls are considered to be among the finest in the country. Also in the cathedral is the [[shrine]] of [[St Werburgh]]. The former [[monastery|monastic]] buildings are north of the cathedral.<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|pp=135–147}}</ref> The oldest church in the city is [[St John the Baptist's Church, Chester|St John's]], which is outside the city walls and was at one time the cathedral church. The church was shortened after the [[dissolution of the monasteries]], and ruins of the former east end remain outside the church. Much of the interior is in Norman style and this is considered to be the best example of 11th–12th-century church architecture in Cheshire.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1375977 |desc=Church of St John the Baptist, Chester |access-date=15 April 2008}}</ref> At the intersection of the former Roman roads is [[Chester High Cross|Chester Cross]], to the north of which is the small church of [[St Peter's Church, Chester|St Peter's]], which is in use as an ecumenical centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parishofchester.com/centre.html |title=St. Peter's Ecumenical Centre |access-date=15 April 2008 |publisher=Parish of Chester |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110234105/http://www.parishofchester.com/centre.html |archive-date=10 January 2009 }}</ref> Other churches are now redundant and have other uses: [[St Michael's Church, Chester|St Michael's]] in Bridge Street is a [[heritage centre]],<ref>{{NHLE |num=1376107 |desc=Heritage centre |access-date=15 April 2008}}</ref> [[Church of St Mary-on-the-Hill, Chester|St Mary-on-the-Hill]] is an educational centre,<ref>{{NHLE |num=1376382 |desc=St Mary's Centre |access-date=15 April 2008}}</ref> and [[Holy Trinity Church, Chester|Holy Trinity]] now acts as the Guildhall.<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|pp=152–153}}</ref> Other notable buildings include the preserved [[Chester Shot Tower|shot tower]], the highest structure in Chester,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/PDF/HeritageBriefing_LeadWorks.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529122857/http://www.chester.gov.uk/PDF/HeritageBriefing_LeadWorks.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2008 |title=Chester Lead Works |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> and [[St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, Chester|St Thomas of Canterbury Church]].<ref>A short history of our church building by Ian Thomas (Parish Magazine September 2010)</ref>

[[File:Louise Rayner Chester The Cross looking towards Watergate Street.jpg|thumb|The north side of Eastgate Street painted by [[Louise Rayner]]. On the far right is the 17th-century [[Boot Inn, Chester|Boot Inn]].]]
Roman remains can still be found in the city, particularly in the basements of some of the buildings and in the lower parts of the northern section of the city walls.<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|pp=133–134}}</ref> The most important Roman feature is the [[Chester Roman Amphitheatre|amphitheatre]] just outside the walls, which underwent archaeological investigation in the early 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/news_and_views/projects_in_the_news/amphitheatre_project.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201111057/http://www.chester.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/news_and_views/projects_in_the_news/amphitheatre_project.aspx |archive-date=1 February 2008 |title= Amphitheatre Project|access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> Roman artefacts are on display in the Roman Gardens which run parallel to the city walls from Newgate to the River Dee, where there's also a reconstructed [[hypocaust|hypocaust system]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/council_services/planning_and_building_control/landscape/landscape_achievements/roman_gardens.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406160146/http://www.chester.gov.uk/council_services/planning_and_building_control/landscape/landscape_achievements/roman_gardens.aspx |archive-date=6 April 2008 |title=Roman Gardens |access-date=17 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]]}}</ref> An original hypocaust system discovered in the 1720s<ref>{{cite book |last=Hoselitz |first=Virginia |year=2007 |title=Imagining Roman Britain: Victorian responses to a Roman past |edition=1st |publisher=[[Boydell & Brewer]] |isbn=978-0-86193-293-1 |page=129}}</ref> can be seen in the basement of 39 Bridge Street, which is open to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/HOD004011E |title=English Heritage Spud-U-Like entry |access-date=18 August 2008 |publisher=The Civic Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716093832/http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/HOD004011E |archive-date=16 July 2011 }}</ref>

Of the original medieval city, the most important surviving structure is [[Chester Castle]], particularly the Agricola Tower. Much of the rest of the castle has been replaced by the [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] county court and its entrance, the Propyleum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum/information_sheets/chester_castle.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618082610/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum/information_sheets/chester_castle.aspx |archive-date=18 June 2008 |title=Information Sheet: Chester Castle |access-date=15 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> To the south of the city runs the River Dee, with its 11th-century [[Chester Weir|weir]]. The river is crossed by the [[Old Dee Bridge]], dating from the 13th century, the [[Grosvenor Bridge (Chester)|Grosvenor Bridge]] of 1832, and Queen's Park suspension bridge (for pedestrians).<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|2003|pp=159–160}}</ref> To the southwest of the city, the River Dee curves towards the north. The area between the river and the city walls here is known as the Roodee and contains [[Chester Racecourse]], which holds a series of horse races and other events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chester-races.co.uk/index.php |title=Chester Racecourse |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=Chester Racecourse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403033722/http://www.chester-races.co.uk/index.php |archive-date=3 April 2008 }}</ref> The first recorded race meet in England at Roodee Fields was on 9 February 1540.{{Citation needed|date=December 2012}} The Shropshire Union Canal runs to the north of the city and a branch leads from it to the River Dee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/PDF/Heritage-Trail-Canal.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529122859/http://www.chester.gov.uk/PDF/Heritage-Trail-Canal.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2008 |title=Canal Towpath Trail |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref>

The major museum in Chester is the [[Grosvenor Museum]], which includes a collection of Roman tombstones and an [[Art museum|art gallery]]. Associated with the museum is 20 Castle Street, which has rooms furnished in different historical styles.<ref name="The Grosvenor Museum">{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420101056/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum.aspx |archive-date=20 April 2008 |title= The Grosvenor Museum |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> The Deva Roman Experience has hands-on exhibits and a reconstructed Roman street. One of the blocks in the forecourt of the Castle houses the Cheshire Military Museum.<ref name="Cheshire Military Museum">{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.ac.uk/militarymuseum/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415200603/http://www.chester.ac.uk/militarymuseum/ |archive-date=15 April 2008 |title=Cheshire Military Museum |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[University of Chester]] }}</ref>

[[File:Curzon Park Chester.JPG|left|thumb|[[Curzon Park]] as seen from [[Grosvenor Bridge (Chester)|Grosvenor Bridge]] across the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]]]]

The major public park in Chester is [[Grosvenor Park, Chester|Grosvenor Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/grosvenor_park.aspx |title=Grosvenor Park |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421210404/http://www.chester.gov.uk/grosvenor_park.aspx |archive-date=21 April 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref> On the south side of the River Dee, in [[Handbridge]], is Edgar's Field, another public park,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/discover_edgars_field.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524182041/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/discover_edgars_field.aspx |archive-date=24 May 2008 |title=Discover Edgar's Field |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> which contains [[Minerva's Shrine, Chester|Minerva's Shrine]], a Roman shrine to the goddess [[Minerva]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/discover_edgars_field/minerva_shrine.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213557/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/discover_edgars_field/minerva_shrine.aspx |archive-date=27 September 2007 |title=Minerva's Shrine |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> A [[war memorial]] to those who died in the world wars is in the town hall and it contains the names of all Chester servicemen who died in the First World War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carlscam.com/gazet.htm |title=War Memorial, Town Hall, Chester, Cheshire. |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=Carl's Cam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512000551/http://www.carlscam.com/gazet.htm |archive-date=12 May 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are cruises on the River Dee and the Shropshire Union Canal, as well as guided open-air bus tours. The river cruises and bus tours start from a riverside area known as the Groves, which contains seating and a [[bandstand]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/advice_and_information/business_help_and_advice/doing_business_in_chester/an_ideal_location/recreation_and_leisure.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331134420/http://www.chester.gov.uk/advice_and_information/business_help_and_advice/doing_business_in_chester/an_ideal_location/recreation_and_leisure.aspx |archive-date=31 March 2008 |title=Recreation and Leisure |access-date=17 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> A series of festivals is organised in the city, including [[mystery play]]s, a summer music festival and a [[Chester Literature Festival|literature festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/festivals_and_events.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411025705/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/festivals_and_events.aspx |archive-date=11 April 2008 |title=Festivals and Events |access-date=16 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref> There is a [[Visitor center|Tourist Information Centre]] at the town hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/visit_chester/tourist_information_centres.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404123608/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/visit_chester/tourist_information_centres.aspx |archive-date=4 April 2008 |title=Tourist Information Centre |access-date=17 April 2008 |publisher=[[Chester City Council]] }}</ref>

The Cheshire Police Constabulary was historically based in the city from its foundation in 1857. Originally on Seller Street, its headquarters moved to Egerton Street (both since redeveloped), and then from 1870 to 113 Foregate Street, where Parker's Buildings now stand. In 1883, the police headquarters moved to [[142 Foregate Street, Chester]], now preserved as a Grade II listed building. The county police headquarters has since moved again, in 1967, to Nuns Road before leaving the city in 2003 for Clemonds Hey, [[Winsford]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About us: our history |url=https://www.cheshire.police.uk/about-us/our-history/ |website=Cheshire Constabulary |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531201324/https://www.cheshire.police.uk/about-us/our-history/ |archive-date=31 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>