Your Ultimate Open-Air Chester Staycation: Friends 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 outdoor activities, perfect for reconnecting with your closest friends, and unbeatable restaurants and accommodation offerings to match. Learn more about our exciting open-air offers 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 your group. There are 12 stops on the city-wide route, introducing the 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, although there is a chance you will have to wait for a later service (if the onboard wheelchair spaces are already filled).
Roman Tours
Eager to learn about Chester’s Roman history? Who better to hear 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, so you can be assured an entertaining tour, not exclusively a history lecture!
These tours are accessible. Learn more about them here.
Merry Wives of Windsor at the Grosvenor Park Open-Air Theatre
Welcome summer with a live-action performance of Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor in the heart of Grosvenor Park, the perfect entertainment for you and your friends! Laugh and cry as you follow the story of the bumbling Sir John Falstaff whose luck changes when his plan to restore his wealth is discovered… The show is being performed between 4th June and 30th August 2021, so you have ample time to view it – but be quick, as tickets are selling fast!
The nearest car park to Grosvenor Park is the NCP at Pepper Street, where audiences will receive a 25% discount on the standard tariff if arriving before 6pm, and a 50% if parking after 6pm – only if using the NCP app and using the SaverID code ST4HXE. Disabled parking is available.
The theatre itself is fully accessible, with appropriate toilets on-site. Free Essential Companion tickets are available. Additional requirements may be catered for if you contact ticketing@storyhouse.com.
Cinema Night with Moonlight Flicks
Bring your deck chairs, pillows and blankets and enjoy a late-night showing of a firm favourite film in the serene surroundings of Chester Cathedral, courtesy of Moonlight Flicks! There are way too many screenings of interest to list here (you can find a full programme here), but highlights include Mamma Mia (1 and 2), Dirty Dancing, Grease, Hot Fuzz, and Top Gun!
Introduce some great food to your evening 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!
If your screening is cancelled due to poor weather, you will be able to switch to a different one or get a refund. The Dean’s Field at Chester Cathedral is accessible for wheelchair users.
Chester Ghost Tour
With over 2000 years of history, and frequent ghost sightings, a Ghost Tour around Chester looks to be an eerie evening never to be forgotten. Join the Chester Ghost Tour guides as they take you on a haunt of the city, telling you gruesome and peculiar tales of various sites’ paranormal inhabitants. You’ll be thankful you have your friends by your side throughout!
Does the thought of sharing a tour with other humans send shivers down your spine? Book yourselves onto a Private Ghost Tour. But beware, you will automatically become the subjects of any ghastly encounters!
All Ghost Tours are approximately 90 minutes long and, where possible, should be booked in advance here. All tours depart from Chester Visitor Information Centre on Northgate Street. If informed at the time of booking, your Ghost Tour can be made accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Taste Cheshire Food & Drink Festival
Taste Cheshire represents the best of local food across our county. So, if you and your friends enjoy great gastronomy, be sure to visit their Food & Drink Festival taking place at Chester Racecourse between 28th and 30th August 2021. In case you didn’t already know, this is the biggest event of its type to take place anywhere in the UK, with over 150 exhibitors!
As well as these excellent local choices, be sure to watch live cooking demonstrations and performances by three of the biggest catering names on TV: Masterchef’s John Torode, Ready Steady Cook’s Paul Rankin, and Eat Well for Less’ Chris Balvin! Plus, local chef and Masterchef star Simon Wood will be joining the line-up too.
You and your friends can also get involved in the action, with free cooking and BBQ classes on-site, and plenty of samples of course! Fancy something a little more unusual? The first 40 people to attend the Demon Theatre on the Sunday of the festival at 11am get to become sausage judges to find the NoWFOOD Centre Sausage of the Festival.
Read more about this fantastic event and book your tickets here.
Dee River Kayaking
Join Dee River Kayaking for a relaxing paddle through the city of Chester, being sure to take in the majestic historic surroundings including the Roman city walls and Old Dee Bridge, or try your hands at white water kayaking by surfing the waves at the 11th-century weir! Another option is to try the ever-popular Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Whichever you choose, the opportunity to laugh with (maybe even at) your friends is guaranteed!
All of Dee River Kayaking’s Chester based trips depart from Sandy Lane Car Park and can be expected to last between 2 and 3 hours. Participants are advised to wear warm clothes and waterproofs for ‘Calm Water’ excursions, whereas the ‘White Water’ counterparts demand bathing suits (worn under the wetsuits which are provided). All trips require closed-toe footwear.
Chester Comedy Festival
Bring your friends to our historic city between 11th and 22nd July for the annual Chester Comedy Festival! Featuring big names such as Jason Manford, Gary Delaney, and Ed Byrne amongst many more, laughter and great times are certain! Each event has separate tickets, so you are free to choose the line up(s) that best cater(s) to your group’s preferences, be this the ‘Best of The Fest’, ‘Chester New Comedian of the Year Grand Final’, or ‘Friday Night Comedy’ to name a few!
Please note that not all of the festival’s events are outdoor and that all feature unreserved seating.
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 20,000+ animals situated across 128 acres of land promise a great day out for all! Plus, being a major animal welfare charity, your money will be reinvested to the benefit of animals globally!
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. 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.
Chester Walls Walk
What were once created by the Romans as defensive mechanisms, and built upon by their successors, today constitute one of our most popular tourism attractions, providing panoramic views of the city from above. Therefore, taking a casual stroll along the City Walls, the most complete of their kind in Britain, is a must-do during your visit to Chester!
Along the mostly accessible 3km circuit, be sure to lookout for the Water Tower that is no longer next to the water, the remains of the largest Roman amphitheatre in the country, the tower from where Charles I watched the Battle of Rowton Moor, and the striking Eastgate Clock. Legend has it that a fictional feline, created by Lewis Carroll, can be spotted on the walls along The Groves (by the River Dee’s weir).
The walls are free to enter, and there are multiple entrance and exit points throughout – meaning you can leave and re-join them whenever you so wish.
Vertigo at Carden Park
Take to the skies with the newly opened Vertigo at Carden Park! This brand-new aerial adventure course will see you and your friends swinging, balancing, and climbing across obstacles for around two hours, finally returning to land after taking a leap of faith into a giant stunt pillow or gliding down a 210m zip line! Are you up for the challenge?
As well as sure-fire thrills, the course boasts unparalleled views of Carden Park’s 1000-acre estate and the Welsh Hills!
All participants are provided with safety equipment and a full briefing and will be supervised by qualified instructors whilst on the course. Please note that, for safety reasons, the maximum weight for adventurers is 18 stone.
Whilst this section is dedicated to Vertigo, the onsite luxury accommodation certainly makes for a great choice for friends! With rooms featuring comfortable beds, en-suite bedrooms or wet rooms, 39-inch HD plasma televisions and more, plus a choice of four onsite restaurants, what else could you desire?
Chester Races
With regular fixtures running throughout the summer and into early October, there is a good chance there will be action on the Roodee when you and your friends come to Chester! Get yourselves all dressed up (we have a great high street for those last-minute outfit purchases) and make your way to your designated enclosure for the day! There are options to suit all budgets, from the pocket-friendly Open Course and Dee Stand to the boujee Champagne Garden and Winning Post!
Throughout the day, visit the on-site food vendors for glamorous bites to eat, and perhaps go all out with a glass of bubbly! You may be able to test your luck and place bets for upcoming races too (please gamble responsibly)!
When the horses have thundered into the final furlong for the last time of the day, consider enjoying a decadent meal at one of Chester Racecourse’s two on-site restaurants, either The White Horse or 1539 (named after the year the racecourse was established). Alternatively, Chester itself has a wide range of pubs and restaurants to discover too!
If it is not race day when you visit, you can still enjoy the Roodee as it is open to the public! Take a stroll around its perimeter, enjoy a picnic on the Open Course, or simply admire the landscape which was actually a port in the Roman era!
A Side of Great Food
After all of those activities, a filling meal in an atmospheric venue is a must! Fortunately for you, we have rounded up our top dining choices in the city for friends.
Hickory’s Smokehouse
Located in the heart of Chester’s bustling area called The Groves stands Hickory’s Smokehouse, serving delicious southern-style dishes all day in its delightful outdoor seating area! 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! Plus, the chain offers unique fro-co, aka frozen custard, which is a must try! We have also heard that Hickory’s has an impressive drinks menu, including some cooling cocktails perfect for Summer! Essentially, it is the perfect BBQ venue for you and your friends, without having to do any of the work!
Telford’s Warehouse
Telford’s Warehouse is a spectacular independent bar and restaurant boasting a renowned music and arts programme (legends such as Robert Plant and Catfish and the Bottleman have performed in the past), entertaining Cestrians since 1993. The quirkily designed grade 2 listed venue also boasts a spacious al fresco dining area, with views spanning the canal basin and surrounding countryside.
Telford’s Warehouse provides a classic pub grub fayre featuring Chilli, Toad in The Hole, and Seafood Linguine to name a few, with an additional pizza menu available at selected times daily. All dishes are cooked to order, and dietary requirements can be catered for, so you can be sure of an enjoyable meal whatever time you choose to visit (12pm onwards). Browse the site’s vast selection of local and imported beverages, changing on a daily basis, to find the perfect accompaniment for your food.
At the time of writing, tables can be reserved for up to 2.5 hours. On-site parking is available for patrons.
Chester Market Al Fresco
We all know that dining with a group can be a bit of a challenge, with everyone having a different cuisine in mind. Chester Market Al Fresco, boasting a wide range of independent food stalls, eradicates this issue as everyone can enjoy the exact tasty dishes they want! Visit Death by Tacos for buenísimos tacos, Jeffro’s Wingz an Tingz for untamed Caribbean delicacies, Stile Napoletano for a taste of Italy, and Thai by Thai for a flavoursome Asian delight. Why not accompany your food with a delicate baked good courtesy of Pastry Pédaleur, and a beverage from That Beer Place or Vinological (alcohol-free options available throughout the market). However, these are just a few of the outstanding offers available, see the full, mouth-watering selection (plus non-food retailers) here!
Whatever you choose, you can enjoy it in the al fresco seating area to the rear of the market, or take it with you on a stroll throughout the city!
Ristorante Sergio
From olive trees to glistening lights, and stunning surroundings to award-winning authentic Italian cuisine, Ristorante Sergio’s terrazza effectively brings the Mediterranean to life in Chester. Whether you say “bon appetit” to antipasti, bruschetta, pizza, pasta, or a fish dish to name a few, you can be sure that your food will be cooked to order using only the freshest, tastiest ingredients. After your savoury plates, why not finish your meal with a classic Italian sweet, be this gelato, a panna cotta, or mousse of limone. Alternatively, continue the savoury trend with a Formaggio – a selection of Italian cheeses with biscuits.
Due to the location of Ristorante Sergio, there is no on-site parking. Accessibility needs can be catered for, as well as certain dietary requirements.
A Place to Spend the Night
You’ll certainly need a great place to recharge after a busy day exploring open-air Chester. See below our top accommodation picks (don’t worry, they are not open-air)!
The Queen at Chester
Combining elegance and style with welcoming surroundings and more bedrooms and suites than any other city-centre hotel, The Queen at Chester could be the perfect overnight venue for you and your friends. Choose a room in the main hotel for classical opulence, or rest in the King’s Quarters for a fabulously modern affair!
As you walk between the various hotel facilities, keep an eye out for period memorabilia including photos of the monarchy through the ages, Roman columns dating back 2,000 years, and vintage letters of significance. A quirky feature at The Queen is the giant chair – it makes a great photo spot, trust us!
In the evening, The King’s Grill restaurant serves an abundance of quality dishes, which, when accompanied with bespoke beverages courtesy of the friendly bar staff, give you an experience fit for royalty! Breakfast, traditional and continental, is also served here alongside unlimited tea, coffee and fruit juice. Lunch is not served in the main restaurant, but rather in The Waiting Room, the historic on-site bar which is open mid-morning until late.
Whilst the bar has a great ambience, to continue your al fresco experience, venture to the hotel’s courtyard and sip a beverage in the presence of historic statues, fountains and ivy-curtained walls. Maybe treat you and your party to an Afternoon Tea here? In the evening, be sure to retreat to the stunning Albert Lounge to cuddle up by the warming fire.
Hotel Indigo
Contrasting the predominately period offering at The Queen is Hotel Indigo, a contemporary boutique hotel situated a stone’s throw away from the gorgeous Grosvenor Park.
The hotel’s 75 guest rooms all take inspiration from the City of Chester, with three unique room designs representing its architecture, The Eastgate Clock and the Racecourse. Each room comes as standard with a luxury Hypnos bed, spa-inspired bathroom with rainfall showers, a tuned 46” flat-screen TV with Chromecast, and complimentary artisan nibbles. Throughout the hotel is air conditioning and high-speed Wi-Fi too.
For the most refined members of your group, consider a stay in The Grosvenor, Hotel Indigo’s top floor corner room boasting a king-size four poster Hypnos bed, separate seating area, and stunning views of Grosvenor Park and the Welsh Hills from its marvellous wraparound external balcony!
Dine on-site at The Forge by restaurateur and chef Mike Robinson. With the kitchen in the centre of the dining area, watch as the young, vibrant team of chefs combine sustainable ingredients into rich, flavourful dishes, often cooked over fire and charcoal. Breakfast at Hotel Indigo is complete with both continental and a-la-carte options, all cooked freshly to order. Had a busy night? Order room service for the ultimate lazy breakfast!
Rondeva (9 Deva Terrace)
Overlooking the River Dee and the Chester Meadows, groups of 5 or less should consider hiring 9 Deva Terrace for the duration of their stay. This Georgian Grade II listed mid-terrace property comprises a fully equipped kitchen, lounge, summer room, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, all spread across 3 stylish floors. All bedrooms and the summer room have flat screen TVs, with the latter also featuring an Xbox. Enjoy a barbeque on the on-site moorings with the complementary furniture and “starter pack” provided and crack open a bottle of gifted “RONDEVA” Prosecco (gifted for guests staying at least two nights), for a truly blissful evening.
The house features free parking for one car, and a lockable cycle door is at the rear of the property. Please note that Rondeva is self-catering accommodation.
Have we inspired you and your friends 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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