Places To Visit
The ancient city of Chester is steeped in rich history. As a result there are many historic and interesting places to visit. Locals and tourists alike flock into Chester city centre to take a look at the wide variety of interesting places.
We will list some of the most popular places to visit. Be sure to seek them out when you next visit Chester.
First of all though you may like to see this short video…..
In no particular order of preference or interest, let us see what is available.
Places To Visit – River Dee and The Groves
When visiting the River you can take a boat trip and take in the views. Or you can enjoy an ice cream from one of the many kiosks. Maybe just sit on a bench and watch the world by. If you are hungry, then why not have a meal in one of the available cafes or bars. Wash that down with a cool drink from one of the two bars on the Riverside. Namely, the Boathouse or Hickorys.
Take in the sights while relaxing on a leisurely boat trip.
Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral and the mother church of the Diocese of Chester.
Typical of English cathedrals in that it has been modified many times, is a Grade I listed building. It dates from between 1093 and the early 16th century. Although the site itself may have been used since Roman times for Christian worship. As a result of the many modifications, all the major styles of English medieval architecture are present in the building. More specifically, styles from Norman to Perpendicular, are represented. Therefore the Cathedral is of huge interest as a result of these varying styles.
As with Lichfield, Carlisle and Worcester cathedrals, Chester Cathedral is also built of new red sandstone. As a result, Chester is one of the most heavily restored of England’s cathedrals, as are other red sandstone buildings.
Address: St Werburghs Street, Chester; CH1 2DY
Dean: The Very Reverend Professor Gordon McPhate
Chester Cathedral Office
12 Abbey Square
Chester
Cheshire
CH1 2HU
Telephone Number – 01244 324756
Website: https://chestercathedral.com/
In conclusion, take a tour of Chester Cathedral – you will be hugely impressed.
Visitors can tour the Cathedral during these Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday / 9am to 6pm
Sunday / 11am to 6pm
The Rows
Chester’s famous Rows. The Rows are a continuous row of half-timbered galleries. You can reach them by steps. They form a second row of shops above those at street level along Watergate Street, Northgate Street, Eastgate Street and Bridge Street. The Rows are unique in the world to Chester. Nobody is quite sure exactly as to why they were built in this way. A two tiered shopping centre in effect. Well worth a visit.
Chester Walls
Visitors to Chester will invariably take a walk around Chester Walls. The walls are a huge tourist attraction for visitors to Chester. Walk through Chester city centre and you will see many tourists taking photographs of the walls.
Chester Walls were originally built as a defensive structure to protect the city. Their construction was initially started by the Romans between 70 and 80 AD.
The Walls therefore form an almost complete circuit of the city as they did back it was in the medieval era. A full walk around the walls circumference will entail covering a distance of almost 2 miles (3.2 km). Consequently you will see many historic landmarks on your tour of the Walls.
The Walls intersect roads on the four major medieval gates to the city. Namely, Eastgate, Bridgegate, Watergate and Northgate. In addition they also intersect more modern roads on St Martin’s Gate and Newgate.
Most noteworthy, the walls comprise the most complete medieval and Roman defensive wall system in the whole of Britain.
In conclusion, if visiting Chester, then make sure you have your camera with you.
Chester Zoo – Our World Famous Attraction
We have already mentioned our world famous attraction in several places on this website. For more information about Chester Zoo, take a look at these links below:
Chester Zoo Page – https://chesterlifestyle.com/chester-zoo
Chester Zoo Blog Posts – https://chesterlifestyle.com/category/chester-zoo
Famous People From Chester – https://chesterlifestyle.com/famous-people-from-chester – plenty of mentions for Chester Zoo on this page
Roman Amphitheatre
Another informational, historic Chester landmark is the Roman Amphitheatre. As with many Chester landmarks, the Amphitheatre is a designated Grade I listed building. English Heritage manage the site, which is also recognised as a scheduled monument.
The exposed ruins are those of a large stone amphitheatre. It seems that although there was a belief that a smaller wooden amphitheatre existed on the site beforehand, this is not the case. Since 1999 excavations have shown that the wooden grill is actually the base of the seating. Nowadays, the southern half is not exposed. It is covered by buildings, some of which are listed themselves. The northern half of the structure however is exposed.
The amphitheatre is the largest so far uncovered in Britain, and dates as back far as the 1st century.
On a sunny day, many visitors to the amphitheatre can be seen sat relaxing soaking up the sun. A two minute walk from the amphitheatre takes you into another beautiful Chester landmark, Grosvenor Park.
Grosvenor Park
Another notable landmark in Chester and to be included in the places to visit, is Grosvenor Park. It is a public park with beautiful gardens consisting of 20 acres of land overlooking another beauty spot – the River Dee and The Groves.
Hours of Opening Today:
9am to 5.30pm
Chester Town Hall
Chester Town Hall
Another most noteworthy landmark to visit in Chester is the Town Hall. You can find the Town Hall in the city centre, in Northgate Street. Like many buildings in Chester it is a listed building. It is identified in the National Heritage List as a Grade II listed building.
Most of all it is a hugely impressive building, well worth including it as one of the places to visit. It is probably one of the most impressive Town Hall’s in the UK. So, again, make sure you have your camera with you.
Furthermore, you can find out more about Chester Town Hall and its facilities HERE
Contact Details
Northgate Street, Chester, CH1 2HJ
Email: enquiries@chestertownhall.co.uk
Telephone: 01244 304 660
Chester Museum
Especially relevant in a city of Chester’s stature you will expect to find a museum. You will not be surprised therefore to find Chester has a very impressive museum in Grosvenor Street.
As with many other buildings in Chester, it is a designated Grade II listed building. The museum’s name is taken from the family name of the Dukes of Westminster.
It opened was opened in 1886 and it was extended in 1894. Consequently, major refurbishments took place between 1989 and 1999. Most noteworthy its contents include archaeological remnants from the Roman period. Also, musical instruments, paintings, and a room arranged as a Victorian parlour.
While you are in the vicinity of the museum, it is worth noting that you are only a five minute walk from yet another notable landmark, http://chesterlifestyle.com/chester-sports-news/chester-racecourse-the-roodee/”>Chester Racecourse.
Relevant Contact Details
Grosvenor Museum – 27 Grosvenor Street; Chester; Cheshire; CH1 2DD
Telephone Number – 01244 972197
Email: grosvenor.museum@cheshirewest.gov.uk
Website – http://grosvenormuseum.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk/
In conclusion, we are sure that you will find plenty of places to visit and enjoy when you come to Chester. Because Chester is a relatively small city, you can get to see these iconic places quite easily on foot.
Chester Lifestyle
For more information about our beautiful city and my website in particular, have a look at https://chesterlifestyle.com/about-chester
Chester Lifestyle Wall Art
As this is a Chester related website, you may be looking for the ideal Chester related gift for your loved ones. If so, then have a look at my Chester section of my new Etsy store. You can find out more about my Etsy store HERE.
Plenty of originally created downloadable digital artwork for you to have a look at HERE. And, as I say, a variety of Chester related products to choose from. Go on….you know you want to!!
Simple instantly downloadable images – an ideal gift for any occasion…..
Gifts like……an instantly downloadable image of Eastgate Street as seen from the Eastgate Clock. And there’s more. A lot more and not only Chester images.
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