Chester Castle may become a tourist attraction

Feb 17 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

Chester Castle may become a tourist attraction

CONSERVATION work costing £150,000 is ongoing at Chester Castle with the prospect of the ancient monument being opened up to far more visitors in future.

That’s because the Hotel du Vin chain is interested in occupying the adjacent Colvin House and Napier House which could draw more people into a forgotten corner of the city.

Tourists could be attracted by the castle’s Agricola tower which contains a chapel with exceptionally fine 13th century wall-paintings only rediscovered in the 1980s.

Steve Woolfall, the council’s museums, heritage and tourism manager, said: “We’ve always had an aspiration to do more with the castle. We manage it on behalf of English Heritage and we want to open it up on a more regular basis.

“Now it’s only open for seasonal tours through the blue badge guides. I do know English Heritage said they would consider the development of the castle if the hotel chain brings Colvin and Napier House back into use.”

He suggested visitors be taken onto the roof of Agricola tower, offering views of the city, if a proper walkway was created. A deal could be struck with the hotel to open its café for public use.

Links could be created onto the walls and with the nearby military and Grosvenor museums.

Mr Woolfall is delighted English Heritage is carrying out conservation work at the castle focusing on the Half Moon Tower and the adjoining Frobisher's Workshop.

An English Heritage spokeswoman said: “English Heritage has commissioned works on Chester Castle’s Half Moon Tower and curtain walling. The aim of the works is to repair and strengthen so that the structure is safe.”