Renovation work is being carried out at Chester Castle in line with an ambition to transform the ancient monument into a tourist attraction.
The castle has a rich history dating back to William the Conqueror but for years was only accessible to tour groups.
In the summers of 2017 and 2018 it was opened up to the public thanks in large part to the efforts of enthusiastic volunteers supported by Chester MP Chris Matheson and Cheshire West and Chester Council .
English Heritage, who manage the site, are currently in talks with the council about opening the castle at weekends over the summer after work on the Agricola Tower has been completed.
Last year visitors were able to climb to the top of the tower for a unique panoramic view from the roof.
The tower also contains a chapel with exceptionally fine 13th century wall paintings that were only rediscovered in the 1980s.
English Heritage spokeswoman Kate Maughan-Brown said: “In 2017 we worked with the local council to open up the castle over the summer period and we did this again last year with a programme of events over the summer.
“With regards to the Agricola Tower, we are doing some conservation work and this entails repointing and replacing stone as well as some roof repairs. There are some wall paintings in the chapel, on the first floor which we can’t see at the moment. Once the roof has been repaired we’ll be able to get a closer look at the wall paintings.”
English Heritage says Chester Castle was founded by William the Conqueror in 1070 and became the administrative centre of the earldom of Chester. The first earth and timber ‘motte-and-bailey’ castle probably only occupied the area of the inner bailey. In the 12th century it was rebuilt in stone and the outer bailey added.
In 1237 the last earl died and the castle, with the earldom, was taken over by the king. In 1265, during the Barons’ War, it was held for ten weeks by supporters of Simon de Montfort against the men of Prince Edward, son of Henry III.
During the reigns of Henry III and Edward I the castle served as the military headquarters for the conquest of Wales and much building was carried out, especially in the outer bailey. In the later medieval period the monarch rarely stayed at the castle, but it continued to serve as the centre for county administration.
In the Civil War (1642–6) it was the headquarters of the Royalist governor, John, Lord Byron. Subsequently a permanent garrison was stationed there, and between 1788 and 1813 the outer bailey was completely rebuilt in the neoclassical style. The buildings still serve as the Riverside campus of the University of Chester , courts and regimental museum, but the military finally withdrew in 1999.