King Charles Tower, Chester

Perched on the northeast corner of Chester’s ancient city walls, King Charles’ Tower is a Grade I listed monument with origins dating to the 13th century. It was once leased to city guilds, including the Painters and Stationers, and the Barbers and Chandlers, who restored it in 1613, commemorating their work with a carved phoenix plaque.

During the English Civil War, the tower played a significant role in the Siege of Chester (1645). Legend claims King Charles I watched his army’s defeat at the Battle of Rowton Heath from the tower on 24 September 1645. However, historian Simon Ward suggests the king observed the battle from Chester Cathedral instead.

After the Civil War, the guilds resumed control in 1658, though their involvement ended by 1773. By the 19th century, the tower was recognized as a tourist attraction, its ties to King Charles I adding to its allure. Later, it housed a print-seller and even served as a private museum.

Built of red sandstone and standing 70 feet (21 meters) high, the semicircular tower features four levels, with the lower two hidden below the wall’s walkway. Its standout features include the battlemented parapet, the phoenix plaque above a round-headed doorway, slit windows for light and defense, and decorative details like a weathervane and leaded casement windows.

Today, King Charles’ Tower stands as a testament to Chester’s rich medieval past and the Civil War, offering visitors a window into England’s storied history.