Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Britain's largest surviving canal dockyard, sadly dilapidated but with scope for restoration
.
The Three Old Arches of 1200 is England's oldest shopfront. In a city of many half-
timbered black-and-white buildings, the Rows are exceptional. These unique 13th century
shop galleries on two levels through half-timbered Tudor buildings are like being on a galle-
on.
The expression 'There's more than one yew-bow in Chester' made to girls who get jilted
is a reference to the large number of local archers lost at Agincourt, Crécy and Poitiers -
Chester archers being the best in the country. Not all girls were losers, however. The story
goes that a medieval mayor attempted to force his daughter to marry Luke de Taney. In a
game with him she hit the ball over a wall, sent him to fetch it, escaped through the Pepper-
gate while he was gone and eloped with a waiting Welsh knight. The gate has been locked
ever since. Because there were so many border brawls, Henry IV banned all Welshmen from
carrying any weapons except eating knives and instituted a sunset curfew for them.
Bishop Lloyd's house of 400 years ago has a richly carved front with biblical scenes and
animals. Chester Heritage Centre is in the old St Michael's church. St Mary's centre has ex-
hibitions in the 14/15th century church of St Mary, an excellent example of Perpendicular
styling with a Tudor nave roof, two 17th century effigies, medieval stained glass and a wall
painting at the top of one of England's steepest streets.
Taylor's boatyard with the main line on the left, and the link to the River Dee on the right
.
