Cemetery wall of former Leprosy Hospital of St Giles

The cemetery wall of the former Leprosy Hospital of St Giles is a Grade II listed structure located on the north side of The Mount in Chester. This retaining wall dates back to the early 12th century and has been periodically repaired. It is constructed from coursed red sandstone rubble and has an oval shape, measuring approximately 36 by 24 meters and standing about 1.6 meters high. The side facing Christleton Road is nearly straight, and the wall is battered.

A stone tablet mounted on the south side of the wall facing Christleton Road provides historical context, stating that the leper hospital and chapel of Saint Giles were founded in the early 12th century and supported by successive Norman earls of Chester. The hospital was in continuous use until 1645, when defensive measures led to the demolition of buildings outside the city walls. The cemetery was preserved to mark the site, and over time, the village of Spital developed around it. The cemetery also served as a burial ground for plague victims during the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1685, Charles II granted the site to the corporation as a burial ground, and although it was briefly managed by St. John's parish, it remains under their care.

The rear of the tablet is inscribed with "I H S: MANY UNKNOWN ARE BURIED HERE NOTABLY THE LEPERS FROM THE 12TH CENTURY TO 1643, SOLDIERS WHO FELL IN THE BATTLE OF GREAT BOUGHTON 1644 AND NUMEROUS VICTIMS OF THE PLAGUE." The cemetery wall encloses a burial ground that contains several damaged table tombs, mostly dating from the 19th century, although these tombs are not included in this listing.