Chester at a glance:
- Travel time: 2hrs direct train from London, 45 mins from Liverpool/Manchester.
- Vibe: Vibrant, historic, charming.
- Top must-see: The Roman City Walls.
- Best for: History lovers, architecture fans, shoppers.
I have to admit before I visited Chester the only thing I knew about the place is that it’s where Hollyoaks is meant to be located (my favourite soap as I grew up!). But honestly I feel like the city is somewhat overlooked. The nearby cities of Liverpool and Manchester seem to take a lot of the attention and for that reason I didn’t expect there would be much to do in Chester, but I was so wrong! It’s definitely a place to visit in its own right, with so much history preserved in the city. I’ve included some of the main things to do below.
Enjoy a walk in Grosvenor Park
Grade II listed and a Green Flag Award winner, Grosvenor Park is not to be missed on a visit to Chester. The park was commissioned in 1867 by the Marquess, an extensive landowner in Chester. Designed by landscape architect Edward Kemp and Chester architect John Douglas, the park opened in November of the same year.
Stretching across 20 acres, it’s regarded as one of the finest and complete examples of a Victorian park and there’s plenty to see including Billy Hobby’s Well, Jacobs Well drinking fountain, and three medieval arches which used to sit elsewhere in the city and were relocated. There’s some very friendly squirrels too!
In 2011 the park was awarded a restoration grant to be improved for the public’s appreciation. The park reopened in 2014 and twice annually new bedding displays are planted, providing colourful displays in spring and summer.
For those with children, the Grosvenor Park Miniature Railway is worth seeking out. It’s a small train that goes around on a ¼ mile circuit and is fun for the whole family.
Explore the Roman Gardens
These pretty gardens contain preserved Roman remnants and are free to enter. They were constructed in 1949 and include Roman columns and a “hypocaust” (underfloor heating system) that were found around Chester during archaeological digs.
Located next to the Roman Ampitheatre, a remodelling of the gardens was carried out in 2000 so you can now easily walk through them and reach the River Dee. A mosaic was added near the entrance in 2010 by the Chester Civic Trust to commemorate its Golden Jubilee.
There are various signs around the gardens that explain a bit more about what you can find and the gardens are a great way of displaying more of Chester’s history, whilst also providing a little outdoor haven within the city. They make a unique environment for the Moonlight Flicks Open Air Cinema which is held there too!
Stroll along the River Dee
The River Dee begins in Snowdonia, Wales and flows east into England through Chester. There’s plenty of places along the riverbank to sit and relax, or people watch. Pictured here is the Old Dee Bridge, the oldest bridge in the city. It has seven arches, all of which are oddly different dimensions, and it’s a designated grade I listed building.
A bit further down the riverbank is the Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge, the only pedestrianised bridge in Chester which is a great photo spot, offering views down the river towards the Old Dee Bridge. The Queen’s Park Bridge was originally built in 1852, but when Chester Corporation took on responsibility for it they decided to demolish it almost immediately in 1922 (presumably due to structural problems). Just as quickly as it was demolished it was rebuilt again, reopening in a ceremony by the Mayor of Chester in 1923!
See the Eastgate Clock
I was quite astounded to discover the Eastgate Clock is the second most photographed clock in the UK after London’s Big Ben! The regal gold and bold red really make it stand out in the centre of Chester, where it stands on the site of the original entrance to a Roman fortress, known as Deva Victrix.
The structure of the clock and gateway together are classified as a Grade I listed building. The original gateway dates all the way back to the 2nd century, although has been replaced twice since, most recently in 1768. The clock was added in 1897 to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria.
It was designed by John Douglas, the Chester architect mentioned above who also worked on Grosvenor Park. Originally he planned for a stone clock, but it was feared his design would block light to neighbouring buildings. After a debate amongst the public, a metal structure was favoured instead, and given how many visitors this clock gets every year, I think that was absolutely the right choice!
Walk the City Walls
Like a lot of things in Chester, the City Walls date back to Roman times when they were built between 70 and 80 AD to defend and protect the city. They have been described as the most complete medieval defensive walls in Britain. The full walk of the City Walls stretches for nearly two miles, with fantastic views around Chester of some of the main sights covered in this post.
Dogs are welcome for the full stretch of the walk too, so your furry friends can also enjoy the historical sights! The only thing to bear in mind is that these were obviously constructed many years ago and because of this some areas are narrow or require step access, so may be worth checking regarding the accessibility at different points of the walk.
Shop the Chester Rows
Found on the four main streets of Chester, the origin of the Rows are still not fully known but the first record of them appears in 1293 (although it is uncertain whether the use of the word Row meant the same as it does today). The earliest use of the word Row that definitely meant “an elevated walkway” is in 1356, still a very long time ago!
The Rows are essentially a series of covered walkways at street level and along a first floor (as seen in the picture where people are looking over the white railings) where entrances to shops and other premises can be found. Crypts were constructed beneath the buildings in the Rows too, these were made from stone while most of the buildings in the Rows were in timber. There are still around 20 of the underground crypts still in existence.
There is much debate about why these were constructed, it is definitely worth a Google to read up more on the different theories. One thing is for sure though, there is nothing quite like the Rows that date back as far as this, anywhere else in the world!
Visit Chester Cathedral
There was lots of construction work and scaffolding to the left side of this photo when I visited, which is why the photo may look a bit skewed! Unfortunately I didn’t get to go inside Chester Cathedral either as it was closed to the public as there was a service going on at the time. However having looked at pictures online, as you would expect from such a grand and old building, the inside is rather incredible too and definitely worth visiting.
It’s a grade I listed building that took 275 years to complete, and as well as a place of worship, is used for performances, concerts, and fundraisers too. Hopefully you’ll have more luck on your visit to see inside – it’s free to enter too!
Bonus suggestion…
And one more place that I had to quickly mention is Tatton Park, which is around a 40 minute drive away from Chester. If you’re staying in the area and have the time to visit, this house is well worth a visit too. The gardens cover 50 acres and are set within a wider 1,000 acres of parkland, and the house dates back to 1716 with a large collection of furniture, art and vehicles.
As well as everything mentioned above, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars in Chester to visit too, so you definitely won’t get bored in a hurry!
Chester FAQs (2026)
The full circuit is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) long. A brisk walk takes about 45 minutes, but for the best experience, allow 1.5 to 2 hours so you can stop and admire the views.
The Rows are medieval, two-tiered covered walkways that line the four main streets: Watergate, Eastgate, Northgate, and Bridge Street. They essentially create a “second floor” of shops above the street-level ones.
“Rowvember” is a month-long celebration held every November dedicated to The Rows. You can expect guided family tours and craft sessions specifically focused on the architecture of these two-tiered galleries.
Entry to Chester Cathedral remains generally free (donations are encouraged). However, the “Cathedral Heights” tour, which takes you up the bell tower for a panoramic view of the city and the Welsh mountains, requires a paid ticket.
These are medieval biblical plays, dating back to at least the early 15th century, that tell stories from the Bible. They are performed by local people on “pageant wagons” moved through the streets, and only happen every five years. The next major cycle is due 2028.
Sophie is a freelance writer and editor, and the founder of Britain and Beyond.
