Your Ultimate Open-Air Chester Staycation: Family Edition
Make the most of the (hopefully) luscious weather with an open-air staycation in Chester this summer. Our magnificent city offers an unparalleled selection of activities catering to everyone from our youngest to most experienced explorers, and unbeatable restaurants and accommodation offerings to match. Learn more about Chester’s outdoor experiences perfect for the whole family below:
The Main Event
City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Running between 9.30am and 5.30pm daily, a 24 or 48-hour ticket for the Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing tour makes for a convenient, panoramic way to marvel at the wonders of Chester at a pace and rhythm which suits you and your family. There are 12 stops on the route, introducing the city’s iconic walls, gothic cathedral, and stunning roman amphitheatre amongst others. The views speak for themselves, but those interested in learning more can do so through the insightful pre-recorded or live commentary guides onboard. Plus, each purchase comes with a free booklet full of deals and discounts to use throughout the city, perfect for those bargain lovers!
We know plans sometimes change, and so it is great to know that your City Sightseeing tickets can be activated at any time within one year of purchase. Additionally, the company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before your chosen travel date!
In terms of accessibility, the buses can generally cater for wheelchairs and pushchairs, although there is a chance you will have to wait for a later service (if the onboard wheelchair spaces are already filled).
Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway
Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway is a 7¼” gauge railway located only a few minutes walk from Chester’s historic city centre within Grosvenor Park.
The railway, built in 1996 to commemorate the centenary of the Duke of Westminster’s railway at nearby Eaton Hall, is popular with young and old alike and has become one of Chester’s top tourist attractions.
They operate steam and diesel hauled trains, on a ¼ mile circuit around the lake in Chester’s Grosvenor Park.
A Session on the Dee with Chester Boat Hire
Flowing through the city of Chester is the gorgeous River Dee, meaning a range of watersports is available in our patch! For families, we highly recommend renting a boat from Chester Boat Hire and exploring the Dee for yourselves! The company boasts a wide variety of vessels which are suitable for all from complete beginners through to seasoned experts, from the economical rowing boat (£10 for 30 minutes with a £30 deposit) to the luxurious motorboat for £30 per 30 minutes with a £30 deposit.
Subject to suitable weather and river conditions, the hiring centre is open from 10.30am all weekends, bank holidays and school holidays from Easter until the end of September. Closing times vary daily.
The Ice Cream Farm
Boasting over 50 flavours of decadent ice cream, countless food-themed play zones and a Guinness World Record, the Ice Cream Farm has to be part of your Chester itinerary! The site’s ice cream choices are predominately dairy-based, featuring milk from nearby cows, although countless sorbets and vegan alternatives are available too, meaning there is likely an option that caters to both your dietary needs and taste preferences!
In terms of playing, be sure to visit Strawberry Falls to engage in a competitive game of minigolf, then buzz over to Honeycomb Canyon to explore the sand and water play area. SIlverCone offers your youngest members a race car driving experience, and the Marshmallow Mound’s trampolines allow them to hop, jump and bounce high into the sky!
Except for The Loft and the site’s party rooms, the Ice Cream Farm is fully accessible. Disabled car parking spaces are available, but are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wheelchairs can be hired on-site with a £20 refundable deposit.
Chester Zoo
Situated a short drive or bus journey away from the city centre is our world-famous attraction Chester Zoo. Whether you’re passionate about penguins, mad about monkeys or in awe of alligators, the 35,000+ animals situated across 125 acres of land promise a great day out for all! Plus, being a major animal welfare charity, you can enjoy yourself knowing that your money will be reinvested into improving the lives of animals worldwide!
With so many animals to see, a visit to Chester Zoo will easily take up most of the day, but rest assured that there are plenty of toilets, plus dining establishments to please all taste buds offering dishes from fragrant Asian fusions to classic fast food! Also, there are kiosks dotted throughout Chester Zoo, allowing for the perfect pick-me-up snack and drink. Those on a budget, or simply preferring their own food, can bring a packed lunch to enjoy on one of the plentiful picnic benches.
Need a rest but not hungry? Why not embark on a Lazy River Boat Trip around Sumba Island? Alternatively, relax in the spectacular award-winning botanical gardens and admire the rare flora species around you. Your youngest members may enjoy creating a Handimal, having their face painted, or even facing their fears on the on-site low-ropes course!
Before leaving, be sure to visit the Chester Zoo gift shop to purchase souvenirs to remember your visit!
Parking at Chester Zoo is free of charge and plentiful. For those with wheelchairs and limited mobility, disabled parking is available at the main entrance, and almost all park pathways and exhibits are accessible. Accessible toilets are also available across the site. Those bringing registered Assistance Dogs are welcome, although should contact the zoo in advance.
Please note that pre-booking is essential at the time of writing. Book your tickets here.
Roman Tours
Interested in learning about Chester’s Roman history? Who better to learn from than an authentic soldier of that era?! Departing daily from Chester Visitor Information Centre, meet your appointed soldier who will guide you throughout the city, sharing good, bad, and ugly tales of life in the Deva Victrix! We have been told that these particular soldiers have excellent senses of humour too (suitable for all ages), so you can be assured an entertaining tour, not exclusively a history lecture!
Roman Tours are accessible. Learn more about the offering here.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the Grosvenor Park Open-air Theatre
Step into the wonderful world of Oz for an enchanting walkabout theatre experience, created specially for kids aged under 10. Join us for a unique adventure show, meet a cast of captivating characters and wind back to a magical finale in the open air theatre. Don’t miss it from 27th July - 22nd August. But be quick, as tickets are selling fast! Book your tickets here.
Movie Night with Moonlight Flicks
Bring your blankets, pillows, teddies and chairs with you for an open-air showing of family favourite films in the heart of Grosvenor Park! On July 28th go on a magical journey with the Greatest Showman, enter the wonderful world of Willy Wonka on 26th August or join Barbie on 17th August. Other firm choices include Mamma Mia, Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pulp Fiction (to name a few). Book your tickets here.
Make your night even cosier by pre-ordering a wood-fired pizza or classic cinema snack box to enjoy alongside the movie! Alternatively, bringing your own snacks is equally permitted!
Family Funday at Chester Racecourse
Hosted at Chester's world-famous racecourse, Roman Day on 25th May is the perfect day for families, promising to be jam-packed with a host of free activities on the Open Course (accessible with our cheapest ticket – the Roodee enclosure). This year, the racecourse has teamed up with Deva Fest to provide an array of performers to entertain the little ones throughout the day including Super Pirates, AmaSing, Laughter Tots, Bubble Inc and more!
On 4th August its Family Fun Day, a much loved fixture where the open course will be transformed into a hive of activity with more fun things to do than you can imagine.
Deva Fest
On the outskirts of Chester at Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas Deva Fest is back from 8th - 11th August 2024. A great value family-friendly four-day extravaganza of music, comedy, camping, family entertainment, including the popular free-to-ride fairground, and fabulous handpicked food and drink stalls from local suppliers.
A Side of Food
After all those activities, a bite to eat is a must! Fortunately for you, we have rounded up our top three family-friendly al fresco choices in the city.
Hickory’s Smokehouse
Located in the heart of Chester’s bustling area called The Groves stands Hickory’s Smokehouse, a stylish restaurant serving delicious southern-style dishes all day in its delightful outdoor seating area! The restaurant has a dedicated menu for its youngest diners, known as VIKs, featuring yummy dishes such as ‘Home run hot dogs’ and ‘Grilled chicken burgers’ in portions perfect for those with smaller tummies. For the older diners, choose from a mouth-watering selection of Smokehouse goods including ribs, steak, and burgers, or maybe opt for a healthier option with a Caesar salad!
Whilst Chester’s Hickory’s does not have its own play garden, it has an on-site cinema room (please check whether open to avoid disappointment), and it is just a short walk away from Grosvenor Park, meaning its VIKs will still have plenty of room to run wild and have fun!
ChesterBoat Fish & Chip Fridays
Taking a British classic on a unique twist, ChesterBoat offers a tasty fish and chips dinner onboard a gorgeous vessel and transports its guests from Chester to Aldford Iron Bridge and back. As well as great food, you will hear an interesting and informative sightseeing commentary, and try your hands at bingo with some exciting prizes to be won! These cruises take place on the first Friday of every month and depart at 7pm sharp unless stated otherwise.
In terms of tickets, purchasing online allows you to save money! Online prices are £25 per adult, and £15 per child, making your Fish & Chip Friday a bargain family night out!
Please note that no animals are permitted except guide/service animals and that, although the boat is wheelchair accessible, the toilet facilities are not.
A Comfy Place to Spend the Night
You’ll certainly need a great place to recharge after all of those activities. Check out our top Chester accommodation picks for families here (don’t worry, they are not all in the open-air)!
Mercure Chester Abbots Well
Boasting two acres of stunningly landscaped gardens and being located just 2 miles away from Chester City Centre (and within walking distance of the city’s Park and Ride service), the 4* Mercure Chester Abbots Well is a strong accommodation contender for any family!
The hotel boasts a number of Classic Family Rooms, all featuring modern décor, a spacious en-suite bathroom, a HD television, and, alongside a plush double bed, either one or two single bed(s). You can choose to upgrade to a package including breakfast, which features both continental and traditional delights, meaning a huge choice for all!
Aside from breakfast, the main dining affair is The Brasserie, a glamorous dining area with an equally spectacular menu to match. Also on-site is an outdoor terrace, perfect for enjoying a tasty lunch or relaxing in the evening and enjoying the fresh air!
Manor Wood Country Caravan Park (Recently Awarded Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park of the Year 2024 at the Cheshire Tourism Awards)
Nestled in the Chester countryside, Manor Wood Country Caravan Park offers the perfect mix between the classic, relaxing camping experience, and exciting leisure facilities including tennis, a play area, and swimming to enjoy for days! Plus, the site allows barbeques (not campfires), dogs, and also features a shower and toilet block alongside a washing-up area. For those wanting a taste of home, be sure to connect to the on-site Wi-Fi and dine in the restaurant/café or grab a local takeaway.
Choose from three types of pitches, some suitable for tents, and others campervans, all featuring electricity as standard. Maybe you could add one of the site’s Bell tents (one double bed only) to your pitches for a spot of glamping on the side!
Disabled facilities are available on-site, but please enquire directly to find out more.
Baker’s Cottage
Nestled in the quaint neighbourhood of Handbridge, just across the River Dee and away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the classic Baker’s Cottage makes for the ideal base after a busy day of exploring.
Baker’s Cottage sleeps up to four guests across two bedrooms (king size and twin), and features a bathroom, private parking, and free Wi-Fi; perfect for checking VisitCheshire.com for more inspiration on what to do on your visit. The cottage also boasts a small private yard, perfect for a bite to eat, an afternoon play, or simply making the most of the serene surroundings.
Have we inspired you and your family to take a staycation to Chester to enjoy the open-air? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to tag us on Instagram in your photos using #Chester!
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