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City in Cheshire, England
Photo: Crashlanded, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chester (Welsh: Caer) is a very pretty and historic English city on the river Dee, and the county town (capital) of the North-Western county of Cheshire. Although maybe not worth a whole holiday, it's well worth a day or overnight trip to see the Roman ruins and medieval city centre. This fine city is also the gateway to North Wales, as it stands directly on the Anglo-Welsh border.
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It is claimed to be the second most photographed clock in the UK. The gatehouse from 1768-9 and the clock dating from 1899.
Chester's former cathedral was saved from the reformation under Henry VIII by Queen Elizabeth I. It has Norman masonry dating back to around 1075 AD and an Elizabethan-era ceiling which saved it from destruction after the Reformation. The organ was commissioned and built by William Hill and Company in London and was used for Queen Victoria's coronation before being sent to Chester by barge.
The city centre is enclosed by the walls, which offer a pleasant strolling route for visitors and locals alike. Walk around the top of the Roman walls that surround the city.
Believed to have been the site of the largest wooden structure amphitheatre in the Roman Empire outside of Rome for its time, with a larger stone amphitheatre later built on-top of the foundations
With reconstructed hypocaust.
A shrine in an old quarry carved in the second century (CE), in a quiet park on the banks of the River Dee.
Small but informative museum majoring on the city's Roman heritage.
Interactive museum about Chester's Roman history, with hands-on exhibits. If visiting in term time worth waiting until after 3PM to avoid parties of schoolkids.
Museum remembering the county's military past, with archives, a shop and changing exhibitions.
The Groves is Chester's own riverside promenade running alongside the River Dee from the Grosvenor Park to the Old Handbridge (which gave its name to one of the suburbs on the other bank).
Grosvenor Park is a classical, 19th-century designed park with a typical Victorian layout that includes formal avenues lined with trees, large sweeping lawns surrounded with ornamental shrub beds and bedding plants, which provide a colourful display throughout the spring and summer months. It includes a pond, miniature railway, open air theatre and children's play area. The park is near the River Dee and with views across the river to the meadows and Queen’s Park and out towards the south of Chester.
Along the river. Rowing boats can be hired, or if you don't want to exert yourself, there are many boat trips that go from the river bank on the city centre side between the Handbridge Suspension bridge and the walls, and they show you everything you will want to see!
It's on the Roodee, and used to be the site of the Roman port. If you're really keen on horseracing, find out the dates of the 'races days' Chester hosts a few times a year. You may have to book/ will have to book tickets in advance, check with Chester racecourse, and there is quite a range of prices. Chester is a racecourse that holds flat races only, it is a very tight left-hand course. If you just want to see a bit of the race atmosphere for free, the walls walk you right past a view of the action down below. City centre bars are best avoided before and after the races, unless you wish to be very sociable because they are usually full and difficult to get a drink.
Well worth a visit, the zoo is absolutely superb and reportedly one of the best in Europe. The elephant collection is world class and it has a unique bat cave where they fly freely around visitors. It's best to leave 3-5 hours to do it properly. It's a little way out of the city centre, so either catch a bus from the bus station, or take the train from Chester Station to Bache on the Wirral Line. The latter option is extremely quick (under five minutes) and correspondingly cheap.
Will get you round all the main tourist sites in 30 minutes. Several bus operators run tours.
Chester is the prettiest city in the run up to Christmas when the streets are tastefully decorated with lights. The shops are hectic but try a walk round the walls after 5PM.
the spa at hoole hall chester
A world-class day spa offering an exhilarating sensory journey with an extensive treatment menu. Definitely worth a visit when in Chester, but lots to do so need to set aside enough time to make full use of the facilities.
A historic Norman crypt dating from the 11th century on the main cobbled streets just under The Rows. An extensive menu with loads of choices all at a reasonable price.
Italian restaurant with a large selection of dishes and good service.
A well-converted canal-side building (above Harkers Arms). Upstairs is a good-quality Thai menu. Downstairs is Teppan-yaki style Japanese food, prepared in front of you with all the performance of juggling utensils, fire etc.
It's in a beautiful old building near the racecourse. Offers fine dining at expensive prices.
Very high-quality fish and chips at a decent price. Delicious northern fare!
Restaurant offering a good selection of various east Asian cuisine dishes.
Features walled gardens, with the option to enjoy alfresco dining in warmer months.
A great setting in an old church crypt under The Rows. Generally relaxed by daytime with a stunning rooftop garden with an outside bar. Attracts a lively crowd in the evening with good music and a wide range of cocktails, beers, shooters, spirits and bottles.
A renovated 17th-century tavern that features a wide selection of beers in convivial surroundings.
Good local pub, serving a selection of beers, wines and spirits. Real log fires in winter and an excellent beer garden at the rear. Traditional English pub, oak beamed and bar, with pool and darts.
An old tavern situated at the top of Lower Bridge Street — allegedly haunted in its basement — it serves an excellent range of beer from the Sam Smith's brewery.
When it needed its sign painting, the artist stopped to quench his thirst half-way through, and the rest is history. Very close to the city centre, outside it offers a 'husband-creche', where women can deposit their hapless other halves for an afternoon's shopping in peace.
Defiantly traditional, 'family-hostile' pub with walls covered in First World War memorabilia. Excellent beer and good home cooking.
Ciro’s Brasserie at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa is a magnificent Mediterranean style restaurant offering modern European cuisine and an excellent selection of fine wines from around the world.
A traditional pub of character, renowned for its eclectic range of real ales and its good quality pub food.
For late night drinks in a superb setting, you have to visit Watergates. An old church crypt under The Rows that is deceptively large with long barrels rooms and a hidden snug. Attracts a lively crowd in the evening with great music and a wide range of cocktails, beers, shooters, spirits and bottles. Open until 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
One of the best clubs, alongside the canal.
Ground floor is a 1990s bar, Babylon. Two more floors playing different music. Good security, lively venue.
A club with four bars in six distinct themed areas, specific rooms for different persuasions. Classy and always a good night out.
Living up to its history, this is an oddball but comfy, stylish hotel in the former meeting place of a society of odd fellows. But no dogs, however Byronically unruly.
Grand upscale hotel in town centre, great dining. No dogs.
Stylish upscale hotel on river bank, the former mansion of a Georgian snuff manufacturer. With 22 Restaurant W-Sa. No children under 14 or dogs.
Lakeside glamping in bell tents, open Apr-Sep, books M-F-M.
Set within 12 acres of landscaped grounds.
By car
Chester is near the eastern end of the A55, which becomes the M53, which crosses the M56.
By bus
English and Welsh concessionary bus passes are only valid for their own section of the cross-border routes.
The city centre is relatively small with everything within walking distance.
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