Visit King Charles Tower

Learn about the Tower’s history, its use by members of the Chester Guilds and its association with King Charles I. This medieval watch tower stands close to the location of the North-East angle tower of the Roman walls. A phoenix above the lower chamber door indicates its association with the Painters Guild at the beginning of the 17th  century. The inscription above the upper chamber door reads: “King Charles Stood on this Tower Sept. 24 1645. and saw his army defeated on Rowton Moor.” Did he? Certainly, his troops were defeated that  day and the next day he fled Chester.

Festival volunteers and members of  today’s Freemen and Guilds of Chester will be on hand to tell you more.

King Charles Tower can be easily accessed via Bell Tower Walk, at the south side of the Cathedral, and the lower chamber of the Tower is fully accessible. There are steep steps leading to the upper chamber.