The Falcon, Chester

The Falcon, a historic public house located on the west side of Lower Bridge Street at its junction with Grosvenor Road in Chester, holds a distinguished place as a Grade I listed building in the National Heritage List for England. The Falcon boasts a rich and complex history dating back to its origins as a house around 1200, with its structure evolving significantly over centuries.

Originally, the building incorporated part of Chester Rows—an iconic architectural feature of the city—but in the 17th century, it became the first property to enclose its section of the row. This precedent was set when Sir Richard Grosvenor, who purchased the house in 1602, petitioned successfully in 1643 to expand his home. Grosvenor extensively altered the building, transforming it into his townhouse during a period marked by the upheaval of the English Civil War, when his family sought refuge from Eaton Hall, their country estate.

The Falcon is a prime example of Chester’s timber-framed architecture. Its east face on Lower Bridge Street features two stories on a sandstone plinth, with two prominent gables, close timber studding, and decorative windows, including an eleven-light leaded window and a 34-light continuous window. The gables are enhanced with herringbone struts, bargeboards, and finials.

The north face, overlooking Grosvenor Road, has two sections: the older eastern part mirrors the east façade, while the western section, likely added in 1626 by Sir Richard Grosvenor, features timber framing, a slate roof, a lateral chimney, and windows of varying sizes.

The building’s medieval undercroft, now serving as a beer cellar, comprises a divided chamber with octagonal stone piers and a substantial oak beam running east-west. The enclosed portion of the row now forms a room along the east side, with additional rooms extending into the building’s rear and west wing.

Today, The Falcon stands as a testament to Chester’s architectural and historical legacy, preserving centuries of craftsmanship, innovation, and social evolution.