Watergate, Chester

The Watergate forms part of Chester City Walls and is yet another example of an 18th-century arch. Spanning the A548 motorway, between Watergate Street and New Crane Street, it carries a footpath over the road. The present gate was built between 1788 and 1790, for the Chester City Council, by architect Joseph Turner, and was meant to replace a fortified medieval gateway.

The old Watergate was closely guarded until well into the 18th century, and had been ably protected by a heavy double door, portcullis and drawbridge, with heavy tolls levied upon all goods entering the town. Back in the 16th-17th centuries, the River Dee approached right up to the Watergate, allowing just enough room for a quay where goods were loaded and unloaded to pass or after having passed through the local Customs. Later, the River Dee silted and receded, upon which the site of the old wharf immediately outside the Watergate was levelled, and an open space, called Watergate Square, was formed.

At the time of its purchase by the municipal corporation from the Earl of Derby, the old gate was considered so "dangerously ruinous" that it had to be immediately demolished.

The new Watergate is built in red sandstone ashlar and consists of a basket arch of short rusticated voussoirs. The parapet consists of stone balusters interspersed with panels. A drinking fountain, which is now dry, is fixed to the north abutment and is dated 1857.

Presently, the Watergate is placed on the National Heritage List for England.