The city of Chester is one of our favourite places to visit and should be on every tourists to do list. There is so much to see and do while being jam packed with Roman history. The city was founded by the Romans 2000 years ago and you can still find the remnants today from the Roman amphitheater, to the medieval half-timbered buildings.
Chester has the most complete city walls, the oldest racecourse and the largest Roman Amphitheatre in Britain, plus a 1000 year old Cathedral with Europe's finest example of medieval carvings, plus their iconic 700 year old Rows galleries where shopping is double layered. Walk where Roman Legionnaires marched to war, Viking raiders wreaked havoc and Norman invaders conquered Anglo Saxons.
As well as having so much history and heritage, Chester is a vibrant, dynamic city full of restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, hotels, a racecourse, lots of museums, it's famous zoo, theatres and the beautiful River Dee where you can go on a boat trip or hire a pedalo. With so much to discover, you will always find something new each time you visit.
Here is my personal Guide to the City to help you plan your next visit.
Things To Do in Chester
The award-winning Grosvenor Park is located in the centre of the city of Chester, overlooking the River Dee. I always feel like I'm on holiday when visiting the city, walking along the river and exploring the park and gardens is a delightful way to spend your day. It has a lovely children's play area, a miniature railway and plenty of grassy lawns and beautiful flower beds. During the summer it plays host to the Storyhouse Open Air Theatre which is a must do activity for any theatre lover.
The historic city of Chester is home to the longest and most complete city walls in Britain. Originally built for protection, they are now one of the city's major visitor attractions. Walking the complete circuit (2.9km) gives amazing views down into the city and gives a fantastic insight into Chester's long history.
Chester Zoo is a wildlife conservation charity and zoo in Cheshire. It's the most visited zoo in the UK, with over 37,000 animals and 128 acres of zoological gardens to explore. The family friendly attraction and important conservation charity is a protective home of so many magnificent animals. Ranging from the largest land mammal elephants and rhinos to the delicate tropical butterflies. It takes a full day to explore and even then you may not see everything.
Chester Cathedral is much more than a place of worship. It’s a site of incredible historical importance dating back as far as 10th Century, an impressive example of several architectural styles and a fantastic community hub for people from all walks of life.
It is free to visit however, they do ask for a voluntary donation once inside to help with the up keep of the cathedral. We donated £5 as a family.
Set sail on the River Dee to see a different side of the city of Chester. Cruises leave The Groves every hour, offering marvelous views of the city and countryside from the water. From the moorings the 30min cruise heads upstream, under Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge, past the Boathouse Inn and Grosvenor Park, and through the picturesque suburb of Boughton. As you follow the sweeping bend of the Meadows, you’ll see stunning riverside homes and gardens, and hear about the fascinating history of the River Dee and its surroundings.
Sandy Lane Park is situated upon the banks of the River Dee, approximately 2.5 miles east of Chester city centre and includes Sandy Lane Aqua Park and a Children's play area which looks across the River Dee to the Meadows. It is free to use and has a free car park nearby.
Deva Roman Experience in Chester
The DEVA Roman Experience will take you on a voyage back through time 2000 years ago to Roman Britannia where the fortress of DEVA Victrix is welcoming visitors from far and wide. Join their legion and help them expand the mighty roman empire.
Through a meticulously designed set, let the talented ensemble of characters immerse your senses in Chester's Roman bath house, market street, and amphitheatre as you watch the drama unfold as Gladiators fight it out to the death!
With 7 actor led shows, special effects, cutting edge projection mapping and REAL archaeology on site will you adjust to the Roman way of life or remain a measly pleb in the ways of the emperor? Deva Roman Experience (devaromancentre.co.uk)
Sick to death Museum Chester
A playground of plague with a smatter of splatter, and a chance to poke into our medical past. Meet the Grim Reaper and Asclepius, the ancient Greek God of medicine as they guide you through the weird and wonderful history of medicine. Experience the past in a way that has never been done before! Explore the pestilence ridden “Diagnosis Alley”, taking care to avoid the deadly diseases which lurk on every surface. Will you survive? Examine the reason why autopsies were so important to furthering our understanding of the human body. Sick to Death – Discover Chester’s dark past
Where to Eat in Chester
New Chester Market offers a vibrant selection of produce and goods together with a fantastic choice of authentic global foods all under one roof. It is a fabulous place to meet friends, socialise, and try new foods with your family. Order from one of the many food outlets around the edge and grab a table in the middle.
Hickory's Smokehouse
Hickory’s Smokehouse is an authentic American BBQ restaurant set on the banks of the River Dee. You can enjoy a traditional style of cooking that has its roots in the US, but just as popular in the UK With their own geniune smoker, Hickory's is the place to experience American BBQ in food! The menu is all about finger licking, sticky and slow cooked American BBQ. There's popcorn in five flavours, the hottest buffalo wings, skewers with a range of marinades, ribs slowly cooked in their Amercian smoker, salads for the summer and authentic American desserts.
Comments