The Water Tower

Grade i listed Water Tower and the adjoining “spur wall” are part of the ancient Chester City Walls.

The Water Tower was built from 1322 to 1326 at Chester’s expense to command the then immediately adjoining medieval port, for 100 pounds. Circular and with a slightly battered solid lower stage and two stages containing chambers; the total height to the crown of the parapet is approx 15m or 50 feet. The tower has bow loops overlooking the lower chamber, a square turret facing the City Wall with garderobe at north corner and bow loops to upper storey.

The parapets to the spur wall have probably the only surviving example of medieval crenellation on the walls at Chester. On the half landing, crenels were converted to embrasures for cannon during the Civil War. A panel on the north parapet is inscribed INVENIT AUT EXCIT.

The interior of the Water Tower features part-glazed Gothick double doors leading to five stone steps down to an octagonal chamber with arched alcoves to entrance and for access to bow loops and has octagonal keel-moulded, rib-vault springing directly from corners.

A spiral stair of twenty-three stone steps and lit by two bow-loops leads to the octagonal upper chamber, vaulted as the lower chamber and with bow loops now blocked. There is opening of uncertain date, to the north-east.

Created: 16  December  2020  Edited: 29  November  2023