Archway, Grosvenor Park, Chester - DSC08005

The Shipgate is a sandstone arch standing in Grosvenor Park,

Chester Chester is a cathedral city and the county town of Cheshire, England. It is located on the River Dee, close to the English–Welsh border. With a population of 79,645 in 2011,"2011 Census results: People and Population Profile: Chester Loca ...

Cheshire Cheshire ( ) is a ceremonial and historic county in North West England, bordered by Wales to the west, Merseyside and Greater Manchester to the north, Derbyshire to the east, and Staffordshire and Shropshire to the south. Cheshire's county t ...

, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

History

The archway was an entrance to the city from the area of the docks on the banks of the River Dee. It was in the southern section of Chester city walls, west of

Bridgegate Bridgegate may refer to: * Bridgegate, Chester, part of the city walls of Chester, U.K. * The Fort Lee lane closure scandal under New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's administration See also * Drawbridge, a type of bridge stereotypically employ ...

. The arch was built for a

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norm ...

earl in the early 12th century when the walls were extended to the south and west of those built by the Romans to defend the fortress of Deva Victrix. In the early 19th century the gaol at Northgate was demolished and a new gaol was built at the southern extremity of the city. When the gaol yard was added, it necessitated the demolition of the section of the wall that included the Shipgate. The structure was moved in 1831 to the southwestern corner of Grosvenor Park where it now stands.

Description

Shipgate is a round arch built of red sandstone with "simple jambs, minimal wing walls and simple voussoirs".

References

Citations Sources * {{Coord, 53.18907, -2.88302, display=title, region:GB_scale:2000 Grade II listed buildings in Chester Buildings and structures in Chester Arches and vaults