Northgate, Chester

The Northgate is a gate located in Chester, Cheshire, England, where it carries the city walls footpath over Northgate Street (Grid reference ). It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.Template:Sfn

History

The present Northgate stands on the site of the original northern Roman entrance to Chester.Template:Sfn During the medieval period, it was unimportant and it was used only for local access. At that time it consisted of a simple rectangular tower with a narrow gateway. It later was the site of the local gaol.Template:Sfn The present Northgate was built in 1810 to replace a medieval gatehouse and was designed by Thomas Harrison for Chester City Council.Template:Sfn

Architecture

It is built in pale red sandstone ashlar and 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 cornice which carries a panelled parapet.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn In constructing Northgate, Harrison used "as few and as huge stones as possible".Template:Sfn

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
• List of works by Thomas Harrison
• Bridgegate, Chester
• Eastgate, Chester

References

Citations

Sources

• Template:NHLE

External links

• Template:Trim Template:Replace on YouTube.
• The Northgate on 'Chester: a Virtual Stroll Around the Walls'