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Archaeologists have found an 800-year-old section of a medieval castle beneath Chester Crown Court, stumbling upon the discovery light using little more than the light from a smartphone.

Researchers say the discovery was made by an expert observing the stonework at the end of a dark, dingy corridor beneath the court. When archaeologist Stewart Ainsworth raised his phone to illuminate the corridor, he found something surprising – an abrupt change in masonry.

“By the light of my phone I could immediately tell that a large section of wall in the gloom ahead was totally different,” explained Dr Ainsworth from the University of Chester.

“It turned a right angle and disappeared out of sight, leaving a very dark, narrow gap that I couldn’t squeeze into.”

A 3D model of Chester Castle (University of Chester)

As researchers compared the stones and the building technique with the surviving parts of the Norman castle, they grew certain that parts of the underground wall dated to the medieval period rather than to the 18th century, when architect Thomas Harrison built much of the existing prison and court complex.

The Chester Castle’s medieval defences, it appeared, had survived for centuries hidden inside the newer construction.

“But the wall I discovered is massive – almost three metres high – so we now know that he left a lot of the medieval stonework untouched,” Dr Ainsworth said, referring to later builders. “And I’m guessing much more may survive under the car park and castle complex.”

Archaeologists then used digital scanners to pinpoint the location of the underground wall. By comparing old maps and plans, they found that it was once a part of a bridge built nearly 800 years ago.

The bridge cut across a deep ditch surrounding the castle’s strongly defended inner ward, according to researchers. The 13th-century gateway was eventually demolished.

Remains of Chester Castle’s medieval bridge (University of Chester)

The medieval bridge beneath Chester Crown Court appears similar to the one spanning the deep ditch at Beeston Castle, the remains of which can still be seen today.

The Beeston Castle drawbridge was raised to prevent attackers reaching the 13th-century gatehouse, and it was likely that a similar arrangement once existed at Chester Castle, archaeologists said.

“I think it is amazing that by doing proactive surveys and recording of historic buildings, we are able to discover unknown archaeology,” Jonathan Lightfoot, Cheshire Constabulary’s PC, said.

“This just shows we can now safeguard this bit of history so we can learn from it for future generations.”