Chester Attractions

Frequently asked questions

What are the top attractions in Chester?

Chester Zoo sits at the top of most lists, but the city itself is the attraction. The Roman walls, Chester Cathedral, The Rows and Storyhouse all deserve your time. Between the history, the architecture, the independent shops and the food scene, Chester has enough to fill several visits without repeating itself.

Is Chester worth visiting for a day trip?

Absolutely, though a single day will leave you wanting more. A well-planned day gives you the city walls, The Rows, the cathedral and a riverside walk. Add Chester Zoo and you really need at least two days to do it justice.

What is there to do in Chester for free?

Quite a lot. Walking the Roman city walls is free and one of the finest things you can do in Chester. Grosvenor Park, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Chester Rows and the riverside meadows all cost nothing to enjoy. The Grosvenor Museum is free to enter and well worth an hour of anyone's time. Plus the Visitor Information Centre have a range of self guided trails (£1 each) that you can follow, letting you explore the city at your own pace and on your own terms.

Are there guided tours of Chester?

Yes, and they are one of the best ways to get under the skin of the city. Options range from walking tours of the Roman remains and ghost tours of the medieval streets to food tours through Chester's independent dining scene. Most depart from the city centre and can be booked in advance or on the day.

What is there to do in Chester on a rainy day?

Chester handles bad weather better than most cities. The Rows keep you covered while you shop and explore. Chester Cathedral, Storyhouse, the Grosvenor Museum, Sick to Death, Hole in Wand and the DEVA Roman Experience all make excellent wet-weather options. And with some of the best independent cafés and restaurants in the north west, a rainy afternoon in Chester is rarely a hardship.

Is Chester good for a family day out?

Chester was made for family visits. Chester Zoo alone is a full day out for most families. In the city, the Roman walls, the Rows, Grosvenor Park, river boat trips, Sick to Death, Hole in Wand and the DEVA Roman Experience all work brilliantly with children. There is enough variety to keep every age group happy.

Are there any museums in Chester?

Yes. The Grosvenor Museum is the place to start, with an outstanding collection of Roman tombstones and artefacts alongside natural history and fine art displays, all free to enter. The DEVA Roman Experience takes a more immersive approach, putting you inside a reconstructed Roman barracks and bringing the story of the fortress of Deva Victrix to life in a way that works brilliantly for all ages.

For something altogether different, Sick to Death is one of Chester's most original attractions. Tucked inside a 16th century church on The Rows, this interactive history of medicine attraction takes visitors on a gloriously gory journey through plague, quackery, autopsy and ancient remedies, guided by the Grim Reaper and Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine himself. It is gross, funny, surprisingly educational and genuinely unlike anything else in the city. Families love it, though it is fair to say some exhibits are not for the faint-hearted.

Chester's history is so layered that even a wander around the city itself feels like a museum visit, with 2,000 years of architecture and archaeology visible at every turn.