Discover Cheshire
Chester
Why Visit Chester?
Two thousand years of history. One city that never lets you forget it.
Chester is unlike anywhere else in Britain. Walk its ancient streets, and the past isn't something you read about on a plaque; it's all around you, woven into the walls, the rows of black-and-white timber, the curve of the amphitheatre. This is a city that has been continuously lived in since the Romans built their fortress here, and it shows in every corner.
Those Roman walls are the most complete in Britain. The racecourse on the Roodee is the oldest still in use anywhere in the country. The amphitheatre, once the scene of gladiatorial spectacle, is the largest ever excavated in Britain. Chester Cathedral carries Europe's finest collection of medieval carvings. These aren't just facts to file away; they're reasons to slow down, look up, and linger.
Then there are the Rows. The world-famous, 700-year-old galleried walkways are Chester's great architectural curiosity, a double-decker street scene found nowhere else on earth. Browse independent boutiques, well-known names, and hidden finds across two levels of medieval shopping galleries. And if the appetite for retail therapy is serious, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, the largest of its kind in the country, is just half an hour away.
Beyond the city walls, Chester Zoo draws more visitors than any other attraction outside London, with 35,000 animals and some of the most ambitious conservation work in the world. Or for something altogether quieter, hire a rowing boat and drift along the River Dee, watching the city's famous skyline slip past at your own pace.
Experiences in Chester
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Afternoon Tea at the Oakfield
With pride and passion, the Oakfield serves freshly prepared locally sourced food and hand-picked beers, wines and spirits. The Oakfield has been lovingly restored and our garden room offers incredible views of our award winning gardens.
£25.00 From price per person
Afternoon Tea in Cafe 1092
Enjoy Afternoon Tea in a thirteenth century monks’ dining hall.
£22.00 From price per person
Chester Cathedral Tower Tour
Once at the top (125 feet high), take in the view encompassing of one city, two countries and five counties!
£14.00 From price per person
The Curious Creatures Tour
The Curious Creatures Tour is an early morning experience that brings you up close with some of Chester Zoo’s most rarely seen species.
£30.00 From price per person
Unmissable Events in Chester
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Chester Literature Festival
Dates: 12th May - 14th Jun 2026
Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell, Sir Lenny Henry and TV historian Kate Williams are among the headliners announced for this year’s Chester Literature Festival.
Moonlight Flicks at Rooftop Social Club
Dates: 14th May - 25th Jun 2026
This year, Moonlight Flicks kicks off the summer early as Rooftop Social Club brings some of the most loved and cult classic films to the heights of the city centre.
Trails in Chester
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1 Miles
Caldy Nature Park is a small area of wetland, woodland and meadows close to Chester city centre. The active Friends group organise events and activities throughout the year including practical task days.
The Whitegate Way
5 Miles
Welcome to Whitegate Way, where heavy goods trains laden with salt once lumbered to Cuddington to join the Chester - Manchester line.
3.3 Miles
This is the ultimate way to explore the whole of the city, taking you from the Visitor Information Centre along the Shropshire Union Canal, River Dee, through Grosvenor Park and even around the racecourse.
Three Counties Connected
Travelling to Cheshire by train? Below you will find all the attractions, eateries and events that you will find within close proximity of Chester, Crewe and Nantwich Railway Stations.
Businesses in Chester
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Sick to Death
Explore the gory story of medicine through time. Learn and laugh in a gross but family fun attraction.
ChesterBoat
Half-hour and two -hour sightseeing cruises are available in the daytime, with bar facilities available onboard.
The Reserve - Chester Zoo
Stay overnight at Chester Zoo in a luxury safari-inspired lodge, enjoy exclusive wildlife experiences and help fund conservation in Africa.
Chester Picturehouse
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Chester Northgate, wander your way into Chester Picturehouse: a treat of a cinema boasting six screens and a café-bar, not to mention a stunning mural created exclusively for us by artist Murugiah.
Turtle Bay
Serving up fiery flavours, tropical cocktails, and our brand-new Beach Brunch (Bottomless Brunch but better). Come on down, take the weight off, have a drink and feel the Caribbean wash over you.
Panda Mami
Panda Mami is a critically acclaimed restaurant group that rivals high end buffet restaurants more commonly found in 5 star hotels, and popular in the Far East.
The Hollies Farm Shop - Little Budworth
Over 60 years later, The Hollies Farm Shop has grown to become a destination and one of the best Farm Shops in the Northwest of England.
Maray
Founded in Liverpool in 2014, Maray is an award-winning Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired small plates restaurant inspired by the eclectic Marais district in Paris.
Offers in Chester
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Expiry Date: 19th Sept 2026
This is running on various dates throughout the year. 2pm Sitting
Expiry Date: 30th Dec 2026
Get away to your sweet escape with this decadent Sweet Spa Escape
Expiry Date: 31st Dec 2026
What better way to celebrate the end of the week & say "Thank Hicks it's Friday" than listening to the sounds of the Deep South with a drink (or two) in hand!
Expiry Date: 31st Dec 2027
Take a journey dedicated to wellness and relaxation in the Cheshire countryside.
Articles in Chester
Post Date: 5th Jun 2026
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Read MoreFrequently asked questions
- How do I get to Chester?
Chester is well connected by rail, with direct services from Liverpool (around 45 minutes), Manchester (around 1 hour) and Birmingham. By road it sits just off the M56 and M53. Most of the city centre is easily walkable once you arrive.
- Is Chester a walkable city?
Yes. The city centre is compact and genuinely best explored on foot. The Roman walls form a natural circular walking route that takes in most of the key sights. Chester Zoo is about 10 minutes by car or bus from the centre.
- How long do you need in Chester?
A full day gives you a good taste, but Chester rewards a longer stay. Two days lets you do the city properly and still get out to Chester Zoo or Cheshire Oaks. A short break of two or three nights means you can explore at a relaxed pace and still have time for the River Dee.
- When is the best time to visit Chester?
Chester is a year-round destination. Summer brings the full energy of the racecourse season and outdoor dining along the river. Spring and autumn are quieter and still beautiful. Christmas is exceptional, with the city's historic streets making a particularly atmospheric backdrop for the festive season.
- What is Chester famous for?
Chester is best known for its rich Roman heritage. Once the fortress of Deva Victrix, it boasts the most complete city walls in Britain, the country’s largest Roman amphitheatre, and some of the finest Roman remains anywhere in the UK. Beyond its Roman past, Chester is famed for its distinctive medieval Rows and the magnificent Chester Cathedral. The city is also home to the UK’s oldest racecourse still in use, as well as Chester Zoo, the nation’s top-rated, largest, and most popular conservation zoo. Adding to its appeal is the iconic Eastgate Clock, the second most photographed clock in the UK, while fans of television may also recognise Chester as the fictional setting of the long-running soap Hollyoaks.
- Are the city walls free to walk?
Yes, walking the city walls is free and one of the best things you can do in Chester. The full circuit takes around 45 minutes and gives you a completely different perspective on the city.
- What are the Chester Rows?
The Rows are Chester's unique two-tiered medieval shopping galleries, found along the four main streets of the city centre. Dating back around 700 years, there is nothing quite like them anywhere else in the world. They combine independent boutiques, well-known names and cafés across both levels.
- Is Chester good for families?
Very. Chester Zoo is one of the most visited attractions outside London. The city walls, the Grosvenor Museum, Grosvenor Park and river boat trips all work well for families, and the city centre is manageable with children.
- Is parking easy in Chester?
Chester has several city centre car parks. It is worth booking in advance during busy weekends and race days, when demand is high.