Northgate, Chester

The Northgate in Chester, Cheshire, is an archway carrying the city walls footpath over Northgate Street.^[1] The present-day Northgate was built in 1810, to replace a medieval gatehouse that stood on the site of the original Roman entrance to Chester. The medieval structure consisted of a rectangular tower with a narrow gateway, and was used as the local gaol.^[2]

The Northgate was designated a Grade I listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1955.^[1]

Designed by Thomas Harrison for Chester City Council, the Northgate is built of pale red sandstone ashlarMasonry of squared and finely cut or worked stone, commonly used for the facing of a building.,^[1] using “as few and as huge stones as possible”.^[3] It consists of a segmental arch with a coffered soffit which spans the carriageway. On each side of the arch is a rectangular portal for the pavement. On both sides of the portals are attached unfluted monolithic Doric half-columns at each corner. Across the top of the structure is a dentilled corniceHorizontal moulding crowning a building or part of a building, such as over a door or window, or at the junction of an interior wall and ceiling. which carries a panelled parapet.^[1]