It was historically an extra-parochial area and today remains a civil parish,[1] albeit with no inhabitants.

The parish is bounded by Castle Drive to the south, Grosvenor Street (the A483) to the west, and Castle Street and St Mary's Hill to the east.

Apart from the castle/prison, the parish also includes the courthouse for the Crown Court, County Hall, and the Cheshire Military Museum.

Since April 2009 County Hall has been the headquarters of the Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Chester Castle is the smallest civil parish by area in the United Kingdom.