Chester City Walls King Charles’ Tower open to the public in September

Walkers around Chester City Walls will be able to venture into King Charles' Tower, a rare opportunity, during the weekends 9th and 10th, 16th and 17th September, between 10.30am and 4pm. This is the first year King Charles' Tower has opened under a Royal King of the same name and all Royal visitors are very welcome!

This Grade I listed tower stands on the North-East corner of the city walls over-looking the canal. Parts of the tower date back to the 13^th Century. It is called King Charles' Tower because on the 24th of September 1645, King Charles stood on the tower and watched his army that was defeated in the battle of Rowton Moor earlier in the day, return towards the City.

The Inscription above the door reads: 'King Charles Stood on this Tower Sept. 24 1645. And saw his army defeated on Rowton Moor', however you could never have seen Rowton Moor from the Tower, you could have seen his army retreating to Chester from Rowton Moor.

Visitors will be able to tour the two-storey tower free of charge, courtesy of volunteers from Cheshire Historic Buildings Preservation Trust (CHBPT) and learn more about its fascinating history and restoration in 2013. They will be asked for a voluntary donation to the work of CHBPT, a registered charity committed to protecting vulnerable historic buildings across Cheshire. More information at http://www.cheshirehistoricbuildings.org

Tony Barton, Chair of Trustees for CHBPT said: “We are delighted to be able to show members of the public round the tower these weekends and look forward to them especially enjoying the motion activated talking history of the tower that we have installed.”

He added; “Back in 2013 Donald Insall Associates completed the tower’s restoration in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, who did well to secure funding from the European PORTICO project, so that there was no cost to the tax payer in carrying out this work.”

Jane Harrad-Roberts a trustee of CHBPT added; “Last year we had over 750 visitors to King Charles’ Tower over the 4 days including 150 children who were able to learn about the Walls, the Towers and their history. We are especially pleased that re-enactment specialist Mike Graham can join us again this year as a Civil War soldier for the first weekend to lend even more authenticity to the opening.”

More information: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/king-charles-tower-city-walls-chester-weekends-opening-by-chbpt

The opening of King Charles’ Tower is part of Heritage Open Days 2023 (HODs) - 8th-17th September - England's largest community led festival of history and culture where each September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate history and culture. Visitors can see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore. More information at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk which currently lists 74 openings and events across Cheshire.