Chester is a beautiful historic city located on the banks of the River Dee in north west England. It’s famous for its half timbered buildings, Roman ruins, medieval city centre and for having the oldest racecourse in the country. Check out my suggestions below of how to make the most of a weekend break in the city.
Attractions:
City Walls
Take a walk along Chester’s ancient city walls which extend for 2 miles (3 km) and are an ideal way to gain a perspective of the city from above. The walkways are paved and at several access points there is ramp access making them accessible for all. If you prefer to join a guided tour then these start from outside the tourist office offering a wealth of information and uncovering hidden gems.
Roman Amphitheatre
Just outside the south east corner of the Roman fortress stands the Roman Amphitheatre (free admission).This was only re-discovered in 1929 when one of the pit walls was unearthed during construction work. Between 2000-2006 excavation of the amphitheatre took place but only about 2/5ths of the oval is visible, the remainder lying unexcavated behind the brick wall of the exposed part. Findings recovered are on display in the Grosvenor Museum.
Eastgate Clock
Admire the beautiful Eastgate clock positioned on a footbridge overlooking Eastgate, Chester’s main shopping street. The clock was erected in 1899 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria two years earlier and is the second most photographed clock in England after London’s Big Ben.
Chester Cathedral
Visit the magnificent Chester Cathedral, a stunning Gothic structure that was a medieval Benedictine abbey before becoming a cathedral in 1541. Join one of the Cathedral at Height tours for a behind the scenes view of the cathedral and for stunning vistas from its tower top.
The choir stalls found in the Quire have intricately carved misericords with all kinds of creatures including hounds, angels, dragons and maidens carefully woven into the woodwork.
Chester Mystery Plays
Once every five years the people of Chester create a completely new mystery play which is staged in the stunning nave of Chester Cathedral. These biblical tales are performed by a local cast of hundreds and are happening this year, taking place between 28 June – 15 July. More details can be found here.
Chester Racecourse
Spend a day at Chester Races which opened in 1539 making it the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world. The racecourse, also referred to as The Roodee was built on the site of an old Roman harbour and can be viewed during an extended walk along the city walls.
The Rows
Go shopping along The Rows, Chester’s unique Tudor shopping streets. Steps lead up from ground floor level to long covered balconies lined with shops, galleries and restaurants. These medieval first floor walkways line the four main streets of the city centre and are known as The Rows.
Pleasure Boat Trips
Take a relaxing boat trip along the River Dee. Tours depart from the Groves Promenade with a choice of 30 minute city cruises and longer two hour boat trips (summer season only). Further details available at Chester Boat. Afterwards enjoy a stroll along the elegant riverside promenade.
Chester Town Hall
The magnificent Gothic style town hall was completed in 1869 and opened later that year by the Prince of Wales who was later to become Edward VII. Its beautiful Council Chamber and Assembly Rooms are now popular wedding venues.
Directly opposite the town hall stands a bronze sculpture of a baby Indian elephant. This was a gift from Chester Zoo to celebrate the birth of a baby elephant born in 2010 named Janya, meaning ‘Life’ in Hindi. It is said to be good luck to stroke both its ears at the same time so take the opportunity to do so as you pass by.
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo (standard admission £29.54) opened by George Mottershead and his family in 1931. It is one of the country’s largest zoos covering 125 acres and housing over 7,000 animals covering 500 species. It’s easy to get there by public transport taking just 15 minutes from the city centre (Bus 1 and 1X). The zoo is attractively laid out in a landscaped parkland setting with paths and slopes that are accessible to all.
Chester New Market
Recently opened, the market hall has moved just down the road into a purpose-built building creating a thriving community of independent traders. On offer is fresh produce, goods and food and drink stalls clustered around an attractive communal seating area.
Located in one corner is Pastry Pedaleur where foodies come from far and wide to experience Stephanie’s French pastries and desserts. Her market stall business was recently featured on Aldi’s Next Big Thing when the supermarket was on the hunt to discover the most exciting products from small independent suppliers.
Museums:
Sick to Death (admission £6) is located in a former church and is devoted to the history of diseases, doctors and dying in medieval times with lots of gory details. Visitors are handed UV pens to show up fluorescent green plague spots splattered around the museum which is a great way to keep children entertained whilst looking around. The self-guided tour is both fun and educational as there’s a timeline of the key breakthroughs in medicine, covering the invention of antiseptics and x-rays through to the more recent use of anti-viral drugs.
Grosvenor Museum (free admission) documents the history of Chester with exhibitions of art works, silver, natural history and items unearthed from the amphitheatre. It is also home to an internationally important collection of Roman tombstones with intricate carvings.
Roman Gardens
The gardens were established in 1949 as the city’s contribution to the 1951 Festival of Britain. They contain a series of Roman artefacts discovered throughout the city, including fragments of stonework and murals. The columns from the exercise hall of the Roman bathhouse are on display along with a recreation of a hypocaust, an ancient Roman heating system.
Suggested Dining:
The Naughty Badger
Located close to Chester Cross on the historic Bridge Street Row you’ll find The Naughty Badger. Step into this delightful badger themed bistro for a tasty breakfast or lunch. The food is expertly prepared, beautifully presented and is absolutely delicious.
Artezzan
Artezzan, is a Mediterranean restaurant centrally located on Pepper Street. Dining there feels as if you have been transported to Southern Europe with its turquoise blue decor and relaxed, holiday vibe. It’s popular with tourists and locals alike so it’s best to book a table in advance to avoid disappointment. From families enjoying pizzas to girls nights out and romantic dinners, it fits the bill for everyone. With steaks, seafood, pasta dishes and much more in the menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice. For dessert I recommend the Biscoff and mascarpone calzone with salted caramel ice cream, made with pizza dough it’s an unusual combination for a dessert but is irresistible.
The Kitchen at Storyhouse
Also recommended is The Kitchen at The Storyhouse, serving middle-eastern dishes in the convivial setting of the city library. Food is served daily until 9.00 p.m. and perfect for a pre-theatre meal in the Storyhouse Theatre.
Stay:
Hotel Indigo Chester is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Chester’s historic city. Newly built in 2019, it was designed to reflect the Roman city’s architecture and its famous racecourse and is perfect for a relaxing city break. Featuring elegant rooms adorned with retro touches, friendly staff and the award winning Forge Restaurant, it sets the bar for accommodation in Chester.
