The Rows (Chester)
The Rows are a unique architectural feature in the ancient cathedral city of Chester.
They are a series of covered galleries above the street level shops, giving a first floor walkway with access to the upper floors of the shops.
The Rows are confined to the main four streets, corresponding to the Roman ones, and only in the very centre of the city.
They date back to the 13th century, and seem to have been built originally on top of ruined buildings from the Roman period.
The best sections are in Watergate Street, Bridge Street and Eastgate Street, with a shorter section in NorthgateStreet.
The overall impression is of black and white timber framed buildings, many of which are jettied. Some of these are genuine, and some were created in the Victorian period as part of the Gothic Revival.
But the whole area is undoubtedly picturesque, and is much visited and enjoyed by tourists from all over the world.