Our Heritage

Experts Dr Caroline Pudney and Dan Garner look back 2000 years to the origins of the Rows in the creation and then collapse of the ’Deva Victrix’ Roman fortress and settlement. Tom Pickles then investigates a 100 year boom period between 1250-1350.

Chester today is lauded for its large number of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, but Katherine Wilson surprises us by examining the roots of Chester’s original importance. Lowe and Sons is the oldest shop in Chester, with a fascinating history!

Look up to see why Chester is held by so many to be one of Britain’s most historically beautiful cities! Lee Bilson tells us something of why Chester is special and Rebecca Andrew talks about the history of Brown’s, and we also see depictions of street life in the mid-19th century.

At a secret location, Cellan Harston shows us remains of the Roman 'Principia'. On Watergate Row, Julie Edwards and Poppy Garrett see how in 1375 a King’s surgeon created a rare surviving example of a magnificent 'Rows House',and Tom Pickles looks at an incredible medieval undercroft.

Liz Montgomery and Katherine Wilson take a look at some fascinating artefacts found in Chester which span the ages from Roman times through to the 18th century, and also tell us which are their favourites! Also, we see a very unusual Chester find, probably courtesy of Henry III’s royal menagerie.

A multi-dimensional trip through Chester's history, with Peter Carrington of Chester Archaeological Society. Discover some of the fascinating aspects of Chester's unique Rows, from their origins through to the present day.

Enjoy this walking and audio tour of The Rows. The tour is broken down into six sections representing each Row, and can be followed online. Join this circular journey through an urban landscape that is unique in the world.

Focussing on the sections of Chester’s City Walls of Roman origin, Peter Carrington shows how they have fallen down, been rebuilt, modified and restored over almost 2000 years.

Explore this Grade 1 Listed Building on Watergate Street, Chester with Stephen Langtree in this short film by Julian Baum of Take 27. Also visit the Chester Civic Trust website, where you will find seven monographs produced by members of the Trust about the history of the building.