The Blue Bell
Restaurant, Chester 13th Century Building meets 21st Century Cuisine
The Blue Bell Restaurant in Northgate Street, Chester is housed in a
13th century building, thought to be the oldest surviving structure
in the city.
In
1494, 'The Bell' as it was then known, was an alehouse. Its name
came from its close proximity to the Abbey and the Curfew Bell next
door in Bell Yard.
During
the English Civil War (1642-46), Chester was a Royalist stronghold
and The Bell's cellars were used for the storage of grain and other
provisions to withstand a siege by Cromwell's forces.
In
1807, The Bell became The Blue Bell, and from 1826 until around
1930, The Blue Bell was privately owned.
In
more recent times it became the property of Chester City Council
and was threatened with demolition to accommodate a road widening
scheme. Resistance by Chester residents and the intervention of
the Duke of Westminster thankfully prevented this.
This
unique building has survived, has transformed itself into a restaurant
and today continues to welcome customers with 21st century cuisine
within a 13th century environment. |