Millennium festival trail

All 40 buildings on the Trail were selected by local people as outstanding examples of Chester’s architectural development over two millennia, from Roman times to the present day. Each building is celebrated with its own unique way-marker, created by artist Michael Johnson. The complete route is approximately 3 miles (5200m) long and takes about 3 hours. The trail begins and ends at Chester Town Hall and Tourist Information Centre. Look for the way-markers set in the ground - but beware, some of them can be quite hard to find!

The route is not suitable for wheelchairs as there are lots of steps and one remarkably steep street.


 * Millennium Trail at the Civic Trust;
 * Chester Tourist has a detailed guide to the trail with very many photographs of details to watch out for.

The Millennium Trail Map
If you "mouse-over" on the way-markers then you will see what the building is, and if you click then you will be taken to whatever information there is on ChesterWiki about the building.

Start at the Tourist Information Office by the Town Hall

 * If the Town Hall is open then go in and look around....

Cross the square to the Abbey Gateway

 * Don't miss the elephant!
 * Notice how the gate gets damaged by large modern vehicles;
 * Inside the gate look up at the ceiling to see the decorative corbels;

On the opposite side of the square take the lane down to Kaleyard gate and get up onto the walls. Follow the walls along to the Bell Tower

 * See the carving in the Wall which represents the length of the Great Eastern;

Continue along the walls and up the steps to the Eastgate Clock

 * Did you see the gravestone hidden in the wall?
 * The "brick and blue" water-tower in the distance is on the site of one of the springs from where water was supplied to Roman Chester;

Stay on the Walls until just after the Newgate then leave the Walls and walk down Park Street

 * Spot the Roman Corner Fort - this is where the original walls of Roman Chester would have taken a south-western course and the extension by the anglo-saxons countinues south-east;
 * Listen to the audio recordings in the two chambers on the Newgate;
 * Note the lion;
 * Note the house with "Fountain of Life" inscription;

Go through the gate in the walls and through the Roman Gardens, then turn right to reach the Amphitheatre

 * See where the wall was damaged in the Civil War;
 * Examine the Hypocaust;

Cross to the other side of the Amphitheatre, and head towards St Johns Church

 * St Johns has spectacular ruins at both ends;
 * While the outside of the building is Victorian the inside is Norman!;

From the ruins at the far end of St Johns church head down the slope towards the River Dee and the Hermitage

 * On the right is Grosvenor Park;
 * Ahead is the Suspension Bridge;

Turn right and walk along the River Dee towards the Norman Weir and the Old Dee Bridge

 * You'll meet the walls again;
 * Pass by the "Recorder's Steps" (with the wrong date on the plaque);
 * If you have the time, cross the river to visit the Minerva Shrine;

Head back past the Grosvenor Museum and down Castle Street towards Gamul House

 * The Grosvenor Museum is worth a diversion
 * Gamul House is in Bridge Street;

Reach the Bridge Street Rows and continue past the Three Old Arches

 * There is a

Continue along the walls, over the railway bridge to the Watertower

 * Note the old Infirmary as you pass it;
 * You can get down off the walls here to looks at Watergate Park and the Gloverstone;

Head on along the walls, passing the Goblin Tower and Morgan's Mount, or (if you are collecting all the way-markers), go down off the walls and walk along the Canal

 * A short detour will take you to the Boatyard;

Arrive at St John's Hospital and the Northgate

 * Have a look at the "Bridge of Sighs"