Bonewaldesthorne Tower by Arthur S
Bonewaldesthorne Tower
Grade I listed Bonewaldesthorne Tower is a part of the ancient city walls of Chester.
Documented since 1249-61 but rebuilt or altered 1322-6 after which it formed the gatehouse to the Water Tower. Bonewaldesthorne Tower is constructed of red sandstone coursed rubble.
There is a tall plinth, with 3 weathered caps to north and one to south, a blank storey now filled with rubble, a storey up seven stone steps from Row walk, and battlements on eroded string course.
There is an entrance with chamfered jambs and arch of two stones with an oak boarded door. The doorway on opposite side leads to the spur to the Water Tower.
The interior of Bonewaldesthorne Tower has a fireplace; a old stair to the battlements which is now closed and bow loops.
The masonry of the south-west quadrant of the tower suggests that the tower was originally a drum, but that in 1322 it was squared off, north, to the line of the spur wall to the Water Tower and rebuilt to a square plan with a canted south-west corner above wall-walk level. (Bartholomew City Guides: Harris B: Chester: Edinburgh: 1979-: 94-95; The Buildings of England: Pevsner N & Hubbard E: Cheshire: Harmondsworth: 1971-: 155; Cheshire Sites and Monuments Record: Collens J: Chester City: 3007/2/3).
Created: 16 December 2020 Edited: 29 November 2023
Bonewaldesthorne Tower
Local History around Bonewaldesthorne Tower
There are some historic monuments around including:
Roman camp at Upton Heath, beside the water tower north of Long LaneRoman camp at Upton, 400m east of the water tower north of Long LaneSt John's Church (ruined portions)Dodleston motte and bailey castleRoman quarry including Edgar's Cave and the rock-cut figure of Minerva on Edgar's Field, 150m south west of Dee BridgeDodleston Hall moated siteDee BridgeRoman camp 300m west of Upton Grange FarmMotte and associated earthworks east of Old RectoryStanding cross in St Mary's churchyardStanding cross in St Lawrence's churchyard, StoakBruera moated site and adjacent field systemMoated site and fishpond S of Huntington HallChester Castle (part)Bretton Hall Moated Site Huntington Hall moated siteMoated site of Lea Hall, 80m east of Leahall FarmRoman amphitheatre (southern part)Roman camp on Fox Covert Lane 650m north west of Picton GorseSt Nicholas' ChapelMoated site 180m W of Fir Tree FarmAldford motte and bailey and shell keep castleRoman camp at Upton, 350m north east of the water tower north of Long LaneMoated site at Upton Grange, UptonAbbey Green Roman siteBelgrave moated site and medieval gardenThe walls, towers, gates and posterns of the City of ChesterPart of a Roman camp at Hoole 200m south of Hoole HallThe Little Abbey Gateway, Northgate StreetHeronbridge Roman siteChapel at Chapel House Farm 200m west of Wervin Old HallMoated site north-west of Mill Hill House Farm.
