Discover Cheshire
Chester
Why Visit Chester?
Two thousand years of history. One city that never lets you forget it.
Chester is unlike anywhere else in Britain. Walk its ancient streets, and the past isn't something you read about on a plaque; it's all around you, woven into the walls, the rows of black-and-white timber, the curve of the amphitheatre. This is a city that has been continuously lived in since the Romans built their fortress here, and it shows in every corner.
Those Roman walls are the most complete in Britain. The racecourse on the Roodee is the oldest still in use anywhere in the country. The amphitheatre, once the scene of gladiatorial spectacle, is the largest ever excavated in Britain. Chester Cathedral carries Europe's finest collection of medieval carvings. These aren't just facts to file away; they're reasons to slow down, look up, and linger.
Then there are the Rows. The world-famous, 700-year-old galleried walkways are Chester's great architectural curiosity, a double-decker street scene found nowhere else on earth. Browse independent boutiques, well-known names, and hidden finds across two levels of medieval shopping galleries. And if the appetite for retail therapy is serious, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, the largest of its kind in the country, is just half an hour away.
Beyond the city walls, Chester Zoo draws more visitors than any other attraction outside London, with 35,000 animals and some of the most ambitious conservation work in the world. Or for something altogether quieter, hire a rowing boat and drift along the River Dee, watching the city's famous skyline slip past at your own pace.
Experiences in Chester
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Lunch with a view
Amboseli restaurant welcomes non-residents of the Reserve at Chester Zoo for lunch throughout the week.
Afternoon Tea at the Oakfield
With pride and passion, the Oakfield serves freshly prepared locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits. The Oakfield has been lovingly restored and our garden room offers incredible views of our award winning gardens.
£25.00 From price per person
Afternoon Tea in Cafe 1092
Enjoy Afternoon Tea in a thirteenth century monks’ dining hall.
£22.00 From price per person
Chester Cathedral Tower Tour
Once at the top (125 feet high), take in the view encompassing of one city, two countries and five counties!
£14.00 From price per person
Unmissable Events in Chester
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The Virgin Bet Autumn Festival Friday
Dates: 11th Sept
Fall in love with Chester Races
Nature Fest
Dates: 12th Sept - 13th Sept 2026
Discover the wonders of UK wildlife at Nature Fest, a fun-filled, free-to-enter event celebrating the beauty of native wildlife and plant life conservation.
The Virgin Bet Autumn Festival Saturday
Dates: 12th Sept
Autumn Racing at Its Finest
Trails in Chester
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1 Miles
Caldy Nature Park is a small area of wetland, woodland and meadows close to Chester city centre. The active Friends group organise events and activities throughout the year including practical task days.
The Whitegate Way
5 Miles
Welcome to Whitegate Way, where heavy goods trains laden with salt once lumbered to Cuddington to join the Chester - Manchester line.
3.3 Miles
This is the ultimate way to explore the whole of the city, taking you from the Visitor Information Centre along the Shropshire Union Canal, River Dee, through Grosvenor Park and even around the racecourse.
Three Counties Connected
Travelling to Cheshire by train? Below you will find all the attractions, eateries and events that you will find within close proximity of Chester, Crewe and Nantwich Railway Stations.
Businesses in Chester
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Fashion lovers, rejoice! Theres hundreds of brands to shop at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks
Go Ape Delamere
A 50-minute drive from Liverpool, Go Ape Delamere is located in the heart of Delamere Forest, Cheshire's largest wooded area.
Fudge Kitchen Chester
Fudge Kitchen is renowned for its rich, creamy fudge, handmade daily in small batches using traditional techniques.
The Queen at Chester Hotel - Handwritten…
The hotel is famous for its rich heritage, stunning public areas serving great food, afternoon teas and signature cocktails, with its hidden gem - the terrace, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city.
Maray
Founded in Liverpool in 2014, Maray is an award-winning Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired small plates restaurant inspired by the eclectic Marais district in Paris.
The Forge Restaurant
The Forge was awarded two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence in 2023, showcasing that quality food and unrivalled service is core to the offering.
Grosvenor Museum
Explore the lives and death of soldiers during the Roman occupation including a superb collection of memorial stones.
Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa
Just minutes from Chester city centre, but nestled in secluded grounds. Historic and grand, yet with a relaxed, friendly feel that makes every welcome genuinely warm.
Offers in Chester
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Expiry Date: 13th Dec 2026
Enjoy an overnight stay, a Sunday Roast and a drink for just £149 per couple!
Craxton Wood & Chester Zoo Package
Expiry Date: 13th Dec 2026
Expiry Date: 13th Dec 2026
This fun filled package includes an overnight accommodation in a classic or executive room, full English breakfast in the morning and tickets to Chester Zoo.
Expiry Date: 30th Nov 2026
At Escapism Chester, we believe in honouring and appreciating the dedication and hard work of our local heroes.
Expiry Date: 31st Dec 2026
What better way to celebrate the end of the week & say "Thank Hicks it's Friday" than listening to the sounds of the Deep South with a drink (or two) in hand!
Articles in Chester
Post Date: 9th Sept 2026
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Post Date: 9th Sept 2026
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Post Date: 2nd Sept 2026
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Post Date: 2nd Sept 2026
Read MoreFrequently asked questions
- How do I get to Chester?
Chester is well connected by rail, with direct services from Liverpool (around 45 minutes), Manchester (around 1 hour) and Birmingham. By road it sits just off the M56 and M53. Most of the city centre is easily walkable once you arrive.
- Is Chester a walkable city?
Yes. The city centre is compact and genuinely best explored on foot. The Roman walls form a natural circular walking route that takes in most of the key sights. Chester Zoo is about 10 minutes by car or bus from the centre.
- How long do you need in Chester?
A full day gives you a good taste, but Chester rewards a longer stay. Two days lets you do the city properly and still get out to Chester Zoo or Cheshire Oaks. A short break of two or three nights means you can explore at a relaxed pace and still have time for the River Dee.
- When is the best time to visit Chester?
Chester is a year-round destination. Summer brings the full energy of the racecourse season and outdoor dining along the river. Spring and autumn are quieter and still beautiful. Christmas is exceptional, with the city's historic streets making a particularly atmospheric backdrop for the festive season.
- What is Chester famous for?
Chester is best known for its rich Roman heritage. Once the fortress of Deva Victrix, it boasts the most complete city walls in Britain, the country’s largest Roman amphitheatre, and some of the finest Roman remains anywhere in the UK. Beyond its Roman past, Chester is famed for its distinctive medieval Rows and the magnificent Chester Cathedral. The city is also home to the UK’s oldest racecourse still in use, as well as Chester Zoo, the nation’s top-rated, largest, and most popular conservation zoo. Adding to its appeal is the iconic Eastgate Clock, the second most photographed clock in the UK, while fans of television may also recognise Chester as the fictional setting of the long-running soap Hollyoaks.
- Are the city walls free to walk?
Yes, walking the city walls is free and one of the best things you can do in Chester. The full circuit takes around 45 minutes and gives you a completely different perspective on the city.
- What are the Chester Rows?
The Rows are Chester's unique two-tiered medieval shopping galleries, found along the four main streets of the city centre. Dating back around 700 years, there is nothing quite like them anywhere else in the world. They combine independent boutiques, well-known names and cafés across both levels.
- Is Chester good for families?
Very. Chester Zoo is one of the most visited attractions outside London. The city walls, the Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Park and river boat trips all work well for families, and the city centre is manageable with children.
- Is parking easy in Chester?
Chester has several city centre car parks. It is worth booking in advance during busy weekends and race days, when demand is high.