Chester Off The Beaten Path

Yes, I know in the photo there are only six of them. They are the ones that remain of an original row of nine timber-framed almshouses built in the 17th century for poor pensioners of Chester. Residents had to be aged 65 or over and not drink or smoke.

This tiny bridge at the top of Northgate Street was once used to move prisoners from the jail across to the chapel on the other side to receive last rites before execution. Both the jail and the chapel have now gone leaving the bridge behind as an inaccessible curiosity with a gruesome history. It's also said to be a haunted site in Chester.

With Chester being on the borders with England and Wales, and if you have time to spare pop over the border and see some of the lovely places in North Wales.
Conwy is not unlike Chester in that it is encircled by its ancient walls. Built by Edward I to defend his territory in 1283. Here as in Chester you can walk around the walls, see beautiful views of the coast and the mountains of Snowdonia.

Upon entering Conwy the first thing you see is the Castle which you can still walk around to this day. A beautiful house called Aberconwy House which is now owned by the National Trust can also be visited.

Here also on the quayside is the smallest house in the world and is in the Guiness Book of Records stating such. If you are driving in from Chester just before you reach the castle on your left you can see the little house over on the quayside, it is a red building.

There is mostly a one way system in operation in the town. Parking is available in a largish carpark on the far side of the castle/station.

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Chester Zoo is a very popular place and is only 2 miles north of Chester in Upton-by-Chester.
Havent been for a while so havent got a recent picture so will put one of the ducks on the river instead :-)
For further information on the zoo click on the link

This section of wall takes you from the Northgate area down towards St Martin's gate and further towards the race track. The view here is towards North Wales.
On this day in March the lighting was fantastic, unfortunately my camera did not get it quite right.

This part of the wall is opposite the Canal Locks on the way down towards the race track. The wall was originally Roman but has been built and rebuilt by many through the ages with alot of the structure from Medieval times.

The city walls take you through the centre of the city itself , along by the canel (where this picture was taken) and the race track towards the River Dee. Eventually you'll end up back at the Eastgate Clock (if that's where you started). Allow a couple hours or more to walk right around, however if you're like me you'll just see bits at a time!

Between Northgate and the Racetrack just past St Martin's bridge (one of the new bridges) are a series of Canal Locks.

It's fascinating to watch canels working there way through the series of locks during the summer.