‘Not seen for 250 years’: Part of medieval wall uncovered during Old Town works

HISTORY: Part of the city’s walled defences dating back to the 14th century have been found in Guildhall Road

EXCLUSIVE

By Angus Young

A section of Hull’s Old Town medieval walls has been uncovered during work to install a new district heating network in the city centre.

Pipes destined to supply heat to nearly 40 different public buildings are currently being installed at various locations.

The section of exposed brick wall can be seen in a recent trench dug in Guildhall Road.

It’s just a short walk away from the remains of Beverley Gate, one of the main entrances into the medieval Hull and the site of the famous incident in 1640 when King Charles I was refused entry to the town.

Hull’s walled defences were completed around 1356 with just over four million bricks being used during their construction.

As well as featuring numerous gates and protected by an outer moat, the walls are believed to have been built to a height of around 15 feet.

THE OLD AND THE NEW: A section of the medieval wall was found during work to install pipes for a new heating network

The newly-revealed section is where the first significant stretch of the walls was demolished to allow for the creation of Hull’s first dock in 1778.

The dock’s southern boundary followed the original line of a huge brick wall stretching from Beverley Gate to North Gate.

The pipe-laying work has been temporarily paused while archaeologists survey the medieval brickwork deep below the current street level.

Peter Connelly, manager of the Humber Field Archaeology, said: “As part of the current works along Guildhall Road we are getting new insights into the walls.

“This is the first time this part of the town walls have been seen for 250 years.”