Water Tower II - Upper

The Water Tower was originally built to defend the port of Chester, then the river silted up and changed its' course, and the Water Tower was extended using a spur wall to where the river now ran. Once upon a time boats could be moored around the base of the Tower, and goods were landed here. These photos are from the lower tower, looking back at the upper tower. The niche originally held a statue of Queen Anne which mysteriously disappeared during the 1960s, and behind the bars lies a small room, which may have been used for keeping valuable goods safe, and maybe also for raising and lowering a portcullis on the archway immediately below it. The coat of arms is on a piece of re-used masonry from the Exchange building, which burnt down. You can still see the scorch marks on it.

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Water Tower I

A little while ago there was an open day at the Water Tower, and they had the camera obscura working. It was impossible to take a decent photo of it inside, but you can see the mechanism sticking out of the top of the tower if you look carefully. The camera has the best view in winter, when the leaves are gone from the trees.

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Edgar House Doorway

In the city walls, down by the river, is this door, which, I guess, leads to Edgar House (which rejoices in the address 22 City Walls). I have never seen the door opened, or even painted, and what lies behind it is a total mystery.

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Salmon Leap Properties

Down on the river, by the weir, are the houses and flats known as Salmon Leap. They have been described, ironically, as the best place to live in Chester, principally because once you are inside you don't have to look at them.

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Post Box in the Walls

It was only the other day, after living in Chester more than 25 years, that I noticed there was a post box actually directly into the City Walls. It is to the left of the Bridgegate, and I find myself with an urge to post something into it. And who was it that thought that cutting a hole in the Walls was a good idea?

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Riverside Campus - RIC

The Riverside Innovation Centre, or RIC, is for small startup companies. It offers them high quality facilities at an initial low rent, although rising through later years. You can read more about it here: http://www.riversideinnovation.co.uk/

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Riverside Campus - Lecture Theatre

The old County Council Chamber has been turned into a lecture theatre, and the very clever seating arrangement packs away into the back wall to allow space for dancing. I also heard that they now have a licence to show arthouse films in there.

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