Sitting right on the border between England and Wales, Chester is a magnificent city to visit when exploring the north of England. Not only that, there are heaps of great things to do in Chester that are scattered throughout this walkable city.
Now, Chester is the kind of city you can visit for a day (or weekend) and get a really good feel for the place. That being said, there’s also heaps to do if you’re planning a long trip too. After all, Chester is steeped in history that goes back to Roman times.
So, to help you get the most out of your visit, I’m sharing my top places in Chester. That way, you’ll be able to focus on the all-important exploration, without getting bogged down in planning. Have a wonderful time visiting Chester.
1.) Chester City Walls
Built in the Roman and Medieval periods in England, Chester’s city walls are incredible to stroll through.
You see, they once protected Chester and its inhabitants from the unruly inhabitants (and Vikings) surrounding the vast region. Nowadays, unruly residents aren’t a problem, but you can still walk a short distance from the city walls in Chester itself.
Best of all, over 2 miles of city walls still remain on the elevated passages that once protected the inhabitants within. Now, you can complete the walk around the city walls in about 60 minutes.
Not only that, you’ll discover some of Chester’s top sights as you stroll along the route. Along the way, you’ll also see the Roman Gardens and the famous Rows and Spot Chester Racecourse.
Read more: Best places to visit in the East of England
2.) Grosvenor Museum
About a 10-minute walk from Eastgate Clock, visited Grosvenor Museum One of the best things to do in Chester is if you want to learn more about the local history of the city.
You see, once inside, various rooms are piled high with Roman artifacts, centuries-old paintings and sculptures. Now, there’s certainly an emphasis on Chester’s Roman history, so if that piques your interest, be sure to pop in.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter the Grosvenor Museum and well worth the 45-minute visit.
Afterwards, take a stroll nearby Cheshire Military Museum Which is located inside Chester Castle. The museum has artifacts from the 1600s to the present.
It is well worth a visit if you are interested in military history; However, it can be a bit dull if not. I’m more on the latter, but I can totally see why it’s so interesting if you are.
3.) Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is in the heart of the city and a place you really can’t miss while strolling the streets of Chester.
Dating back nearly 1,000 years, it was founded in the 11th century, with many constructions continuing into the 17th century.
Now, a visit here will take about 45 minutes and is well worth exploring, especially for the nave and cloister garth and refectory that date back centuries.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Abbey Gateway outside the cathedral. It dates back to the 1300s and served as a gatehouse for Chester.
4.) Roman Gardens
Just shy of Pepper Street, this Roman Gardens There is a relatively small garden to explore some of the city’s Roman history. You see, it follows the route of the Roman City Walls and also has ruins and artifacts that line the route.
Located on the banks of the River Dee, the Roman Gardens are free to enter and easy to visit on your way along the River Dee.
Read more: Best places to visit in the East of England
5.) Roman amphitheater
Roman Gardens, just shy of the ruins Roman amphitheater Well worth a visit in Chester. You see, it is the largest Roman amphitheater in all of Great Britain.
Although the site is in ruins, and you can only really see the foundations, you can still get a sense of what the site was like thousands of years ago.
The visit takes about 15 minutes and is much easier to see when you walk up to Chester City Walls.
Not only that, you’ll see Newgate, which stretches across the road just shy of the amphitheater.
Oh yeah, and later, make sure to go nearby St. John the Baptist Church. This was the ‘original’ Chester Cathedral and still has many artifacts and a nave that dates back to the 1400s.
Read more: Best places to visit in the East of England
6.) Chester Rows
No one really knows why the Chester Rose was built, but there is one place you can’t miss when visiting Chester. These quite unique rows are tunneled walkways on the first floors of most buildings on Watergate, Eastgate and Bridge Streets.
Today, they can still be strolled, with local retailers and stores lining the rows themselves. They have been around for almost 700 years and are still going strong.
Read more: Best places to visit in the East of England
7.) River de boat trip
If you’re looking for something a little cooler in Chester, then head to the banks of the River Dee. You see, east of the bridge gate, you will find Chester Boats where you can hire your paddleboat or join a river cruise on the Dee River itself.
Boat trips take around 30 minutes and are a great way to learn more about Chester’s history while on board.
Read more: Best places to visit in the North of England
8.) Eastgate Clock
Located at the historic Roman gateway to Chester, the Eastgate Clock is the gate to the city that never closes. You see, the entrance to Chester has been on this very site for thousands of years.
While the original Roman gate may be long gone, the Eastgate Clock (dating from the 1800s) watches over the historic city streets.
Chester is easily one of the best things to do, as it is home to one of the most famous clocks in England (after Big Ben in London).
Honestly, it’s worth a look, especially since it was built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Read more: Best places to visit in the North of England
9.) St. Michael’s Arcade
Accessed via Bridge Street, visiting St Michael’s Arcade is easily one of the best things to do in Chester as you stroll through the pedestrianized streets of the city centre.
Not only do you have heaps of rows to explore inside the massive St. Michael’s building, but you’ll also wander into an arcade that’s well worth a visit.
Once inside, you’ll be able to explore some of the small shops and stores (there are about 20 of them) that call Chester home. It’s a sight to behold and easy to spot when walking the streets of the city center.
Read more: Best places to visit in the North of England
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