The brief requested that relevant sites be identified and outline designs prepared aimed at improving public use, enjoyment and understanding of the Chester City Walls.
All design work was carried out within the framework of the “Chester Tourism Marketing Strategy Consultative Document”.
The Central Theme to the Chester City Walls project was the strategic concept of the City Walls becoming the framework around which the history of Chester is presented.
“A necklace linking a collection of jewels!”
The relatively modern provision of a central building telling the story at a point of arrival (a “Visitor Centre”) seemed inappropriate for Chester, where visitors arrive from several directions, and any major focus would require appropriate planning of transport routes and parking.
The aim here was therefore to use Chester’s unique complete circuit of fortifications as the connection route between a “family” of new galleries and exhibition spaces, together with improved interpretive presentations of existing features.
Central to the sustainability strategy was that the city walls project should be conceived, developed, funded, built and managed as a single operation. When completed a single “pass” would allow access to all the galleries and discounts in the associated cafes bars and restaurants.
The City walls walk would therefore become a “total” experience not to be missed. The Walls have existed throughout Chester’s history and as such are the most appropriate backdrop for costumed guides from all the major historical periods. The walls would become Chester’s most visited attraction and as such would encourage investment and development of the neglected NW corner of the city and the old port of Chester.