Our Serene City: A Relaxing Break in Chester
Sometimes we all need a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whatever the reason, rest assured that Chester can offer you that idyllic, calming retreat for which you have been yearning. To minimise the stress of trip planning, find below our suggestions for a 2-night city visit designed with unwinding and relaxation in mind!
Day 1 – Bags Away & A Comfortable Place to Stay
When you arrive in our beautiful city, you will want to check-in to your home away from home – who wants to carry bags for any longer than necessary?!
Pitch & Canvas, nestled just 20-minutes from the city centre by car, is ideal for those wanting to be close to nature, offering unrivalled glamping, camping, or caravanning experiences in the heart of the luscious Cheshire countryside. The site’s spacious camping and caravan pitches feature electric-hook ups alongside a newly built toilet, shower, and washing up block, making for ease during your stay! Looking for something with even less hassle? Choose one of the site’s wooden glamping pods, already set-up your arrival and so allowing for more time to enjoy nature! (Please note that you must bring your own bedding).
For those seeking hotel accommodation, why not consider a stylish room or suite at the Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel? Situated on the outskirts of the city yet boasting great transport links (including a Park & Ride Service a stone’s throw away), and 2-acres of gardens, it offers a sought-after amalgam of peace, serenity, and convenience. Be sure to request a courtyard view for an added sense of luxury!
Day 2 – City Familiarisation & Gastronomy Sensations
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and in Chester, delicious, nutritious servings, fortunately, come as standard! Those staying at the Mercure Chester Abbots Well may certainly enjoy the continental and traditional fayres on offer, whereas those at Pitch & Canvas may opt for a classic campfire fry-up! Those choosing to dine externally could visit Storyhouse for its unique Eastern-European offerings, Hickory’s Smokehouse for a taste of the deep south, or Marmalade for a stylish café affair! Still not feeling inspired, these choices do not even scratch the surface of how much our city has to offer – click here for our full dining offering.
Once you and your party have sufficiently dined, make your way to Chester’s Visitor Information Centre on Northgate Street. Enjoy a conversation with the knowledgeable, friendly team, pick up some mementoes and, most importantly, a copy of their £1 City Walls guide! These Walls, notably the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, constitute your next destination and having this trusty guide with you along the way will help you to learn all about this ancient defensive mechanism’s riveting history! Not interested in their history? The views of Chester Racecourse and Chester Cathedral amongst a few still render this stroll highly desirable!
We recommend joining the city Walls from the staircase to the side of Eastgate Clock so that you can marvel at the Victorian masterpiece beforehand – incidentally, the commemorative feature is said to be the most photographed clock in the county after Big Ben! Not able to use stairs, or simply preferring to enter elsewhere? No problem! Part of the beauty of our walls is that you can enter and exit them at multiple points throughout their 2-mile circuit, and they are mostly accessible for those with limited mobility!
After your stroll around the city at height, a decadent Afternoon Tea is on the cards! Situated below Eastgate Clock lies The Chester Grosvenor, which has been serving such indulgences daily since 1882! Whilst enjoying your selection of freshly baked pastries, scones, and sandwiches, be sure to admire the elegant and sophisticated surroundings of the magnificent Arkle Bar & Lounge. The Queen at Chester also boasts an exquisite Afternoon Tea offering and sees you seated amongst portraits of monarchs of time-gone-by! Best of all, this royal treatment is served at a very reasonable price! Not a fan of Afternoon Tea? Head to the stunning Grosvenor Park and enjoy a picnic in its Grade II registered, Green Flag Award-winning grounds!
Now marks the perfect time to indulge in some much-needed retail therapy on Chester’s iconic two-tiered high-street – The Rows! Whilst we cannot tell you exactly why these were created (nor can anyone else), we can certainly highlight some must-visit offerings! The Scented Garden Retreat is ideal for a pampering (more to come tomorrow), Shrub for a plant-based snack-break, and Harriet and Dee for special, unique gifts for your loved ones! The Rows are, regrettably, not completely accessible for wheelchair users (accessibility guide here). Additional accessible shopping can be undertaken in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, also located in the heart of the city.
With a (much) lighter purse or wallet, venture down to our picturesque riverside area, known as The Groves, for a leisurely evening sightseeing cruise aboard one of ChesterBoat’s three quaint vessels. Assisted by commentary (either live or pre-recorded), learn all about the properties which line the banks of the River Dee, the rolling meadows, and gain general historic insights about the city too, all whilst marvelling at the stunning surroundings. By the end of this tour, you should know Chester like the back of your hand! Fancy a beverage whilst onboard? The fully stocked bar on each vessel should do the trick! Hungry? Visit on a Fish & Chip Friday to enjoy the British delicacy on your journey! The Lady Diana and Mark Twain vessels are wheelchair-accessible, although notably do not feature disabled toilets due to space constraints.
If you don’t cruise on ChesterBoat on Fish & Chip Friday, or simply fancy eating elsewhere, consider Côte Brasserie for authentic French cuisine in a contemporary bistro surrounding, Urbano32 for unrivalled sourdough pizza in a rustic setting, and Chef’s Table for a variety of seasonal and local dishes prepared with finesse. Wherever you select, enjoy the indulgence before making your way back to your accommodation for your final night under the stars, or in the deep comfort of your luxurious mattress.
Day 3 – An Outdoor Spa Not-to-Miss & Indoor Bliss
Cheshire’s Country Estate, Carden Park, boasts an opulent spa, making it the perfect destination for a (half) day of pampering before returning home! Visit The Spa at Carden’s state-of-the-art Spa Garden to experience heated pods, fire pits, a vitality pool, and hot tubs, and venture inside to the extensive Thermal Suite for heated relaxation beds, Finnish and Bio Saunas, a Tepidarium and Ice Fountain to name a few! All of the site’s Spa Day Experiences feature welcome refreshments, healthy dining in the Elements restaurant, and complimentary bathrobes and flip flops (the latter to take away)! Those choosing one of the site’s Garden Experiences do not have treatments included as standard, although these may be available as add-ons. For a taste of what these may involve, think of a Botanical Facial, Muscle Melt Massage, and a Tailored Manicure – complete heaven!
Have we tempted you into a pampering short break in Chester? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to share your images with us on social media using #Chester!
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