The Northgate

The Northgate is an archway that carries the footpath of the City Walls over Northgate Street in Chester. It was built in 1810 by Thomas Harrison to replace the former medieval Gatehouse, commissioned by the City Council. The structure is made of pale red sandstone ashlar and features a segmental arch with a coffered soffit that spans the carriageway. On either side of the arch, there are rectangular portals for pedestrians, each corner adorned with an attached unfluted Greek Doric column. A dentilled cornice supports a panelled parapet on each side of the Walls footpath. The broad central panel of the north parapet is inscribed with the following text: "INCHOATA GUIELMO NEWELL ARM. MAI. A.D. MDCCCVIII: PERFECTA THOMA GROSVENOR ARM. MAI. A.D. MDCCCX: THOMA HARRISON ARCHITECTO." The north parapet also bears an inscription that reads: "PROTAM SEPTENTRIONALEM SUBSTRUCTAM A ROMANE VETUSTATE JAM DILAPSURAM: COMES GROSVENOR A.R. GEORGII TERTII LI." The adjacent City Wall parapets are slightly lower and curve upwards to meet the abutments of the Northgate.