Spur Wall And Water Tower

The Spur Wall and Water Tower are significant historical structures located in Chester, built between 1322 and 1326 by John Helpstone. The spur wall connects Bonewaldesthorne Tower to the Water Tower and measures approximately 37 meters long and 3.3 meters wide, constructed from coursed red sandstone rubble.

The exterior features a segmental archway at ground level and a stone landing at Bonewaldesthorne Tower. A staircase of 44 stone steps, with an intermediate half-landing measuring 6 meters long, leads to the main link to the Water Tower. The parapets of the spur wall are notable for having what is likely the only surviving example of medieval crenellation, while the half-landing has crenels that were converted to embrasures, likely for cannon use during the Civil War. An inscription on a panel on the north parapet reads "INVENIT AUT EXCIT."

The Water Tower, constructed at Chester's expense for 100 pounds, was designed to oversee the nearby medieval port. It is circular in shape with a slightly battered solid lower stage and two upper stages containing chambers, reaching a total height of approximately 15 meters or 50 feet. The lower chamber has loops, a square turret facing the City Wall with a garderobe at the north corner, and loops for the upper storey, along with a band at rampart level and eroded crenellation.

Inside, there are part-glazed Gothick double doors leading down five stone steps to an octagonal chamber featuring arched alcoves at the entrance and loops. The chamber has an octagonal keel-moulded rib-vault that springs directly from the corners. A spiral staircase of 23 stone steps, lit by two loops, ascends to the octagonal upper chamber, which is vaulted like the lower chamber and has blocked loops, along with an opening of uncertain date to the north-east.