The Best Things to do in Chester, Cheshire
Are you searching for what to do in Chester? Are you looking for the best things to do in Chester, Cheshire? Well, then you have come to the right place because in this blog post I will go through some of the best things to do in this city, these include; Chester attractions, activities in Chester, the best things to do in Chester city centre, free things to do in Chester, things to do near Chester, etc.
What you can expect from this blog post
In this blog post, I will show you some of the most beautiful Chester attractions, tell you about some of the best activities in Chester, and go through some of the top things to do in Chester city centre. I will tell you why it is the best place to have your weekend getaway and why you will want to come back again and again… Through the images, words and guides to each of these places, you can expect to fall head over heels for this city so have your pen and paper ready, open those booking sites, you will need them soon!
Why you should visit Chester
You may be wondering why you should visit Chester… I will tell you why. The quaint city Chester is often overlooked by travellers, but the city’s charm and warm atmosphere on top of its history makes it one of the best places to visit in England. Encircled by the historical 3-km ring of Roman and medieval walls, Chester is a conservation city and has been for over 50 years. To this day, the city still retains some of the half-timbered houses, including the famous ‘Rows’.
Chester is everything you could want in an English city; it has beautiful attractions, historical sights and museums, cozy restaurants and pubs, tons of events, music festivals, fun activities in Chester and more. From the magnificent City Walls to the 2nd most photographed clock in the UK to the largest amphitheatre in Britain, Chester is simply a city not to be missed. Best of all, the city is also quieter, less expensive and has a more welcoming and warming atmosphere than the bigger cities of the UK.
The streets are so small and compact that you can easily get around all the city’s landmarks on foot. Start by strolling along the walls, then drop into the Roman Gardens and pass by the amphitheatre, all of these Chester attractions are within walking distance of each other.
This is why Chester is one of the best places to visit in England. This city is the perfect weekend getaway place, so if you want to get away from the noise, hustle and bustle of the city, then Chester is the perfect choice for you.
Where is Chester? How to get there…
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. It is located near the Welsh border and is only a short drive from Manchester and Liverpool. If you are arriving in the UK from abroad, then you should know that Chester does not have an airport. The closest airport to Chester is Liverpool (LPL) Airport, which is about 17 km from Chester. The other option is Manchester Airport, which is about 45 km from Chester. Luckily, both airports have fairly good options for public transport into Chester.
If you are flying into Liverpool, you will have to take the train that goes from Liverpool Lime Street Station directly to Chester. Click here for more information on train tickets and timetables. If you are flying into Manchester, you will have to take the train that goes from either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria directly to Chester. Click here for more information.
If you are coming from London, don’t worry, Chester is easily accessible from London as well. There is a direct 2-hour train going from London Euston to Chester city. You can find more information about train tickets here.
Now that you are ready to start exploring, let’s head straight to it… this is the best things to do in Chester city centre:
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The Best Things to do in Chester, Cheshire
1. Snap a photo of the famous Eastgate Clock
The first thing you must do when visiting is to go see the Eastgate Clock; it is one of the top Chester attractions. Don’t leave your camera at home for this one because this is not just any clock… It is the 2nd most photographed clock in the United Kingdom, right after Big Ben! Once you get up close, it is easy to see why it is so famous. The Eastgate Clock has an impressive amount of detail in the architecture.
Besides being stunning to look at, the clock also has some interesting history behind it. The Eastgate Clock was built in 1899 above the Eastgate near the Walls. The original Eastgate was Roman, but the present gate standing today was built in Georgian times to let coaches through. It was not until later in the Victorian era that the clock was built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
Address: 45 Eastgate Street, Chester, CH1 1LR
2. Go for a wander through Grosvenor Park
Grosvenor Park is the perfect place to go for a wander during a sunny summer day. Bring a picnic basket, some sandwiches and cold drinks and have a lovely relaxing time in one of the most idyllic parks in England. Be careful though, there is a cheeky squirrel or two on the loose, and they may or may not want a bite of that delicious sandwich you brought with you. Address: Grosvenor Park Rd, Chester CH1, UK, United Kingdom
3. Walk along The Walls
If you want to explore the city, then you must go for a walk around the Walls. The Walls is one of the best Chester attractions as well as one of the top things to do in Chester, all because of its rich history. The city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete city walls in Britain. Some parts of the walls are almost 2000 years old! Chester is the only city in Britain that fully retains its defensive walls. So if you want to step into another time, and read about Chester’s long, fascinating history whilst seeing the city from a different perspective, then do not miss walking along The Walls.
4. Catch a show at the Grosvenor Open Air Theatre Park
During the summer time, Grosvenor Park has an Open Air Theatre Park where events and shows take place. The Open Air Theatre usually opens up towards the end of May and closes again towards the end of August. Some of the past shows they have done have been: Pride and Prejudice, The Jungle Book, Twelfth Night and more. If you are visiting in the summertime, know that this is one of the best things to do in Chester during the summer, and is considered one of the best activities in Chester, so don’t miss out! You can find more information on when the next show will take place and on ticket prices right here. Address: Grosvenor Park Rd, Chester CH1, United Kingdom. The Open Air Theatre is located in Grosvenor Park. Follow the AA Road Signs to Open Air Theatre.
5. Learn about the history of the Romans in the Roman Gardens
Just around the corner from the Amphitheatre, you will see the the Roman Gardens, another one of the best Chester attractions. If you want to learn more about Chester’s history, then you should pay a visit to the Roman Gardens. The Roman Gardens play an important part in Chester’s history, and in the Gardens you will learn more about Chester’s Roman past and the ancient fortress of Deva that was once positioned there. You will find some of the most important military buildings, which include the baths and headquarters. Address: Pepper St, Chester CH1 1DQ, United Kingdom
6. Admire the art and history in Chester in Grosvenor Museum
Grosvenor Museum has a large collection of exhibitions. In the museum, you will find everything from the Newstead Roman gallery, in which you will learn more about Roman artifacts and archeology, to the art gallery, in which you will find some of the finest paintings and sculptures. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10.30 am to 5 pm, Sundays from 1 pm to 4pm, and Mondays closed. The museum is free, however, a small donation is always warmly welcomed. Address: 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester, CH1 2DD, United Kingdom
7. Walk across the Queen’s Park Bridge
The Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge is a pedestrian bridge, and another one of those beautiful, picturesque spots in Chester. It is one of the best free things to do in Chester. The bridge has a no bicycle sign and is only for pedestrians, so you can enjoy a peaceful walk across the bridge. Whilst walking across the bridge you will have a lovely view down the River Dee, but don’t forget to also have a closer look at the bridge itself. The bridge was constructed in 1922 by the architect Charles Greenwood and unveiled in 1923. A fun fact is, that even though the bridge is very beautiful, it is not a unique design. The bridge was an exact copy of the Porthill Bridge which is located in Shrewsbury. Address: River Dee, Chester, CH1 1SD, United Kingdom
8. Catch a movie, a concert or a show at Storyhouse
Storyhouse is a cultural charity building with a library, a theatre and a cinema! With its one million customer visitors each year, it is considered one of the best activities in Chester as well as one of the best things to do in Chester. Storyhouse is one of the United Kingdom’s most successful and popular arts buildings. It is open every day of the week until 11 pm and runs over 2,000 sessions a year for marginalized communities. Storyhouse also runs the country’s most successful open-air theatre; the Grosvenor Open Air Theatre Park. It also runs an open-air cinema and drive-in. It is safe to say that this is one of the things to do in Chester city centre you have to experience. You can find more information about Storyhouse, and what shows and events are currently on right here. Address: Hunter St, Chester CH1 2AR, United Kingdom
9. Take a guided tour of Chester Cathedral
When visiting you must go see the Chester Cathedral. It was built over 500 years from the 11th to the 16th century and has traces of every Medieval style, from Perpendicular Gothic to Romanesque. The Cathedral may be beautiful from the outside, but make sure you go inside as well! The Cathedral is even more impressive on the inside than on the outside.
I would also highly recommend taking one of the guided tours of the Chester Cathedral. It is truly a wondrous experience; you will learn about the history of the Cathedral and see areas of the church you wouldn’t have otherwise. At the end of the tour, you also get to go up the tower and get a gorgeous view of the city. Out of all the things on this list, this is the one I recommend the most, it is one of the best things to do in Chester. You can find more information right here.
10. Catch the cruise along the River Dee
If you want to see the city from a different perspective, then you absolutely must go with Chester Boat on one of their cruises, as it is one of the best things to do in Chester city centre. There are a few different cruises to choose from and they are the Half-hour Cruise, the Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise, Combined Bus and Boat Tours or Group Bookings.
The best choice for tourists will be either the half-hour cruise or the two-hour cruise, and combining it with a City Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tour of the city. The half-hour cruise offers stunning views of the riverside homes and gardens as well as information on Chester’s Roman and medieval history. The two-hour cruise will give you all of that whilst also taking you through the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Estate. Here you will see wildlife such as herons and kingfishers. You can find more information right here.
11. Admire the unique architecture of the Rows
Chester has the unique Rows; there is nowhere else in the world that has buildings built in this way. The Rows are half-timbered houses that contain a row of shops. Go for a wander down the main street of the city, admire the Rows and then go shopping!
12. Visit the Roman Amphitheatre
The Roman Amphitheatre was the largest amphitheatre in Britain and was used for entertainment and military training. Today it is one of the main Chester attractions that you must visit as well as one of the best free things to do in Chester. Address: Roman Amphitheatre, Little St John St, Chester CH1 1RE, United Kingdom
13. Go see Minerva’s Shrine
Minerva’s Shrine was constructed in the 2nd century; it was built as a shrine to the Roman goddess Minerva. It is the only shrine in Western Europe to have survived and remained in its location to this day. Address: Edgar Pl, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7JY, United Kingdom
14. Visit St. John the Baptist’s Church
St. John the Baptist’s Church was the original cathedral of Chester. The Church was founded in the 7th century and was the cathedral of the city through the Early Middle Ages. You can explore the remains of the west wing completely for free. If you look closely, you will see a spooky medieval wooden coffin set above the Gothic arch, and if you look even closer you will see a text that says ‘Dust to Dust’. Address: Vicar’s Ln, Chester CH1 1SN, United Kingdom
15. Have a delicious vegan dinner at Hypha
If you are looking for a unique dining experience, you absolutely should book a table at Hypha. Hypha is a Michelin star restaurant that also happens to be vegan and sustainable. Every ingredient they use has been grown in the city or the surrounding area. Hypha is currently one of the best vegan restaurants in the United Kingdom; and one of the best things to do in Chester for couples. The restaurant is located on the historic city walls and has an atmosphere and kind and friendly staff you won’t soon forget. If you want to experience Hypha in an even more unique way then you have to consider booking a private dining session. You can find more information about bookings, the private dining experience and more right here. Address: 5 City Walls, Chester CH1 2JG, United Kingdom
16. Go shopping in Cheshire Oaks
Cheshire Oaks is a huge designer outlet shopping area located in Ellesmere Port and is one of the best things to do near Chester. There are over 100 designer brands so it is a paradise for shoppers. Besides that, Cheshire Oaks also has a coliseum right next door which has restaurants, bowling, a cinema and more. Cheshire Oaks is a 15-minute drive from Chester and is one of the top things to do near Chester. Address: Cheshire Oaks Way, Ellesmere Port, United Kingdom
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