Chester and Rhuddlan Castle

This morning we walked around historic Chester.The city of Chester was an important Roman stronghold. First stop was the museum to learn about the Roman History of the town. You can follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, medieval archers and elegant Georgian promenades of Chester with panoramic views on both sides as you explore the most complete circuit of city walls in the country. We only walked a part if it.

We then visited the Chester Cathedral which is a Church of England cathedral and the mother church of the Diocese of Chester. The cathedral (formerly the abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, dedicated to Saint Werburgh) is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since 1541 it has been the seat of the Bishop of Chester. While we were there a funeral was talking place so the organ was being played.  It sounded magnificent and we were lucky to hear it.  The cloisters were stunning with beautiful stained glass windows the whole way around.

We strolled around Bridge St the Roman name for Bridge Street was Via Praetoria. Bridge Street starts at the Cross and continues down hill towards the river and the Old Dee Bridge. There are many shops on this street as there are rows on the East and West sides of the Street. The streets are beautiful and unique.  We stopped for a drink at the Boots Inn which was amazing.  The low ceiling and beams incredible.

We walked to the amphitheater along the wall then through the Roman gardens along the river back to the car.  Home for lunch to refuel for this afternoons adventure.

We spent the afternoon at Castell Rhuddlan.  King Edward I liked his castles to be on the coast. It was safer that way. If his ruthless campaign to subdue the Welsh ran into trouble, supplies could still get through by sea.

At Rhuddlan, several miles inland, the plan was to use a river instead. Just one problem – the meandering Clwyd wasn’t quite in the right place. So Edward conscripted hundreds of ditch-diggers to deepen and divert its course.

More than seven centuries later Rhuddlan still looks like a castle that was worth moving a river for. Begun in 1277 it was the first of the revolutionary concentric, or ‘walls within walls’, castles designed by master architect James of St George.

Most impressive was the inner diamond-shaped stronghold with its twin-towered gatehouses. This sat inside a ring of lower turreted walls. Further beyond was a deep dry moat linked to the River Clwyd.

The castle was designed by the same Master who designed Conwy Castle we visited yesterday.

We finished the day with dinner at the local gastro pub the Golden Lion to thank Jean and Bob for their wonderful hospitality the last few days.

19 degrees
11,574 Steps and 10 floors