1. Walk the Chester City Walls
Walking the Chester City Walls offers a unique perspective of the city's ancient past, encircling the city centre for approximately two miles. As the most complete city walls in Britain, they provide an elevated pathway to observe historical landmarks and enjoy scenic views. This self-guided exploration immerses visitors in nearly 2,000 years of history, from Roman origins to their role as a Victorian promenade.
Cost: Access to the City Walls is free of charge.
Transport: The City Walls are easily accessible on foot from various points within the city centre, including the Eastgate Clock, Northgate, Watergate, and Bridgegate. No additional transport is required once in the city centre.
2. Explore Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is a magnificent structure showcasing architectural styles from Norman to perpendicular Gothic. Visitors can explore the main cathedral building, admiring its stained glass, carved choir stalls, and monastic buildings at no cost. For an elevated experience, a tower tour offers panoramic views across the city and beyond, providing insight into the cathedral's 900-year history.
Cost: Entry to the main cathedral is free. A Tower Tour costs £14.00 per person.
Transport: The cathedral is centrally located on Werburgh Street and is within easy walking distance of most city centre attractions.
3. Discover The Chester Rows
The Chester Rows are distinctive two-tiered medieval shopping galleries, offering a unique architectural and retail experience. These covered walkways, featuring timber-framed buildings, house a diverse array of independent shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Exploring the Rows allows visitors to step back in time while enjoying modern shopping and dining, with both street-level and upper-level access.
Cost: Exploring The Rows is free; shopping and dining costs vary.
Transport: The Rows are an integral part of Chester's city centre, located along Watergate Street, Bridge Street, Eastgate Street, and Northgate Street, making them easily accessible on foot.
4. Visit Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a world-renowned conservation zoo, home to over 20,000 animals from more than 500 species across 125 acres of award-winning zoological gardens. It provides an immersive experience with diverse habitats and opportunities to learn about global conservation efforts. Visitors can easily spend a full day here, with daily animal talks and various play spaces for children.
Cost: Adult day tickets are typically around £30, with children (aged 5-15) priced at £20-£25. Children under 2 usually have free entry, while those aged 2-4 might incur a small fee (e.g., under £5). Family tickets are available, offering savings (e.g., from £23.80 per person for a family of 4-5). Booking online often provides the best prices.
Transport: Chester Zoo is located outside the city centre. From Chester train station, the X1 bus service (from Stop S5) takes approximately 15-18 minutes and costs £2-£3. A taxi journey takes about 8 minutes and typically costs £13-£16. Visitors arriving by bicycle can receive a 15% discount on their ticket.
5. Take a River Dee Boat Trip
A boat trip along the tranquil River Dee offers a relaxing way to see Chester from a different perspective. A half-hour city cruise provides views of historic landmarks, picturesque riverside homes, and local wildlife such as swans and kingfishers, accompanied by informative commentary. Longer two-hour cruises are also available, extending through rural Cheshire towards the Iron Bridge for a more immersive experience.
Cost: A half-hour City Cruise costs £8.10 for adults when booked online (£9 on the quayside), and £3.60 for children aged 5-15 (£4 on the quayside). A family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) is £22.50 online (£25 on the quayside).
Transport: Boats depart regularly from The Groves, which is located on the riverside, a short walk from the city centre.
6. Visit Chester Roman Amphitheatre and Roman Gardens
The Chester Roman Amphitheatre, once the largest in Britain, offers a direct connection to the city's Roman past. This site, used for entertainment and military training, allows visitors to imagine gladiator contests and military drills. Adjacent to it, the Roman Gardens display fragments and ruins from the Roman fortress of Deva, providing further insight into the Roman presence in Chester.
Cost: Entry to both the Roman Amphitheatre and Roman Gardens is free.
Transport: Both sites are centrally located within the city and are easily reached on foot from other major attractions.
7. Experience Storyhouse
Storyhouse is Chester's vibrant cultural hub, combining a theatre, independent cinema, library, and restaurant/cafe in one central location. It hosts a year-round programme of diverse events, from theatre productions and film screenings to festivals and community activities, making it a dynamic space for arts and socialising. It's an excellent option for an evening out or a relaxed afternoon.
Cost: Entry to the building and library facilities is free. Ticket prices for cinema, theatre shows, and special events vary. For example, some event tickets can start from around £22.50. A Storyhouse Card membership is available for £4.99 per month, offering discounts on tickets and food/drink.
Transport: Storyhouse is located on Hunter Street in the city centre, making it easily accessible on foot from other central attractions.
