City of Chester

The cathedral city of Chester is the perfect destination to get away from it all.  As well as offering diverse and top-class shopping, entertainment and dining venues, the city is home to many sites of historical importance and also boasts some of the UK’s leading tourist attractions.

So whether you want to take a boat trip on the River Dee, come face-to-face with the animals at Chester Zoo, head for some retail therapy at the designer shopping boutiques or top-up on your knowledge with a trip in to the city’s history at the Grosvenor Museum, the city of Chester has it all.

History & Heritage

Chester has a great number of historical references, landmarks and attractions.  Founded by the Romans in AD79, Chester still bears signs of its past with its Roman Amphitheatre, historic City Walls and Chester Castle all remaining in tact.

The City Walls were built back in Roman days and give Chester one of its nicknames as The Walled City.  They have a rich history having been altered and extended during both the Saxon and Medieval eras.  They circle the city and it's free to walk the 2 mile (3km) track, and there are plenty of places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat along the way.

The Roman Amphitheatre is also free to view and is located near to the River Dee.  Only the Northern half is exhumed, with the Southern covered by Dee House and the County Court.  Historic walking tours of the city are available, while the Grosvenor Museum provides an in-depth look-back in to the history of the area.

Sport and Leisure

The main sporting focus in Chester is its Racecourse which holds race meetings from May until September and also hosts conferences, exhibitions and other events. 

The city also has its own basketball team, the Cheshire Jets, and although its only professional football team went out of existence several years ago, a fan-led Chester FC now play in the city's Deva Stadium, regularly attracting crowds of more than 2,000 people.

Tourist Attractions

In Chester Zoo, the city boasts one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions.  With more than 400 species of animals and in excess of 250 threatened plant species, the zoo is worthy of its position as one of the top 15 zoos in the world.

There are plenty of other tourist attractions to visit while in the city, not least the Cheshire Military Museum, the Roman Garden and the Chester Sightseeing Bus Tour.

Slightly further afield, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Tatton Park Mansion and Gardens and the Blue Planet Aquarium are all within easy reach of the city and will provide a fantastic day out.

Pocket Guide to Chester