Discover the Magic of Local History, Myths, and Legends. 

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be joining Tom Hudson (host, local historian, and City Animator of Live History) and David Atkinson, well‑known Chester writer and tour guide, for a free Easter Saturday event celebrating our Chester VoiceMap walking tours. 

• Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, Watergate Street, Chester
• Saturday 4 April at 1pm 

This beautiful historic venue is the perfect setting to talk stories, myths, and the magic woven into Chester’s streets. 

I’ll also be signing books on the day, and, because no witchy adventure is complete without a little treasure, there will be free magical bookmarks for early arrivals. 

Turning Chester’s History Into Stories 

For years, I’ve been gathering the myths, legends, and half‑forgotten whispers of Chester’s past and transforming them into stories for families, teachers, and curious wanderers. From Roman soldiers to medieval mischief, from witches to river spirits, Chester is overflowing with tales waiting to be retold. 

My approach is simple: 

History is a never‑ending well of story ideas.

When you feel stuck, look backwards. A single old building, a strange carving, or a local rumour can spark an entire narrative. Writers’ block doesn’t stand a chance when you treat the past as your creative collaborator. 

Walk Through Chester With My Books, Music, and Tours

One of my favourite things about writing as Evelyn Winters is that readers don’t just read the stories, they can step into them. With my VoiceMap tours, music, and books, you can wander through Chester and experience the city the way I do: alive with magic, humming with history and full of characters hiding in plain sight. 

Whether you’re a family looking for adventure, a teacher seeking creative resources, or a local who loves discovering new layers of the city, there’s something waiting for you.

You can explore everything, books, tours, music, and magical extras at: www.evelynwinters.co.uk 

Join Us on 4 April

If you love Chester, storytelling, or simply enjoy discovering the secrets behind the city’s cobbled streets, this event is for you. Come along, meet fellow history‑lovers, pick up a signed book, and enjoy a magical afternoon in one of Chester’s most atmospheric buildings.

I can’t wait to see you there.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2oDTgNn2jE

ong before broomsticks and magical mischief, people in Chester believed witches could be revealed in very unusual ways… including rolling them in barrels. Witchcraft folklore is full of strange tests, but Chester’s history contains one of the most eyebrow‑raising of them all. And yes, barrels were involved.

The Real Chester Witch Trials

While Chester is now known for its Roman walls, Tudor rows, and the iconic Eastgate Clock, the city also has a lesser‑known chapter of witch‑trial history. 

During the 16th and 17th centuries, fear of witchcraft swept across England. Chester wasn’t immune. Records show several trials held in the city, often fuelled by superstition, local gossip, and a deep fear of the unexplained.

Unlike the more infamous trials in places like Pendle or Salem, Chester’s cases were fewer, but no less dramatic. Accusations ranged from cursing livestock to causing mysterious illnesses. And the methods used to “prove” guilt were… creative.

The Strange Barrel Test

One of the most unusual tests said to have been used in Cheshire folklore involved placing an accused witch inside a sealed barrel and rolling it down Barrel Well Hill, formally known as Gallows Hill.

The belief? If the barrel rolled sank, you were innocent, Floated, a witch! Either way, she was never getting out!

Of course, by modern standards this is absurd, and deeply unfair. But in a world without science, people clung to whatever “tests” they believed might reveal the truth.

While historians debate if this test was actually used, the story has become part of Chester’s colourful folklore, passed down through generations.

From Gallows Hill to Barrel Well Hill

The setting of this strange tale also carries a darker chapter of Chester’s history. The hill was once known as Gallows Hill, believed to be the site of public executions carried out beyond the city walls of Chester. In medieval and early modern England, such places were intentionally positioned outside towns as a warning to travellers approaching the city. 

Over time, as the grim associations faded and the landscape changed, the name gradually evolved into Barrel Well Hill. Some historians believe the new name came from a nearby well, while local folklore connects it with stories of barrels, punishments, and witch-trial legends. The result is a place where documented history and storytelling intertwine, forming part of the rich tapestry of Cheshire folklore.

How This History Inspired The Chester Witches

When creating The Chester Witches story and the magical walking tour: Barrels, Broomsticks and Witch Trials, this peculiar piece of local lore was irresistible.

The idea of a barrel test, equal parts bizarre and theatrical, felt like the perfect spark for magical mischief. In the stories, it becomes a playful nod to the past: a reminder that history is full of strange ideas, but magic can reclaim them with humour and heart.

On my VoiceMap walking tour:  you’ll hear how these old beliefs twist into new enchantments, weaving real history with imaginative storytelling. And as you stand beneath the Eastgate Clock, listening to tales of witches, barrels, and curious tests, you’ll feel the city’s past and present blend into something wonderfully magical.

A Final Thought

Chester’s witch‑trial history may be small, but it’s packed with unforgettable stories. The barrel test, odd, dramatic, and slightly ridiculous, captures the spirit of a time when fear shaped justice.

Today, we get to retell these stories with warmth, wonder, and a sprinkle of enchantment. And that’s exactly what The Chester Witches self-guided VoiceMap walking tour is all about.