Chester

Chester originated in the Romano-British period at the latest, when it formed the settlement known as Deva or Castra Devana, the fortress city of the 20th Legion (Legio XX Valeria Victrix). As a result some parts of Chester are around two thousand years old. It was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War in the 1640s, and along the walls one can see the tower from which King Charles I watched his troops do battle.
A native of Chester is called a 'Cestrian'. Just as Cockneys must be born within earshot of the Bow Bells to be classed a 'true' Cockney, local tradition dictates that to be strictly deemed a 'Cestrian' the person must have been born within the boundaries of the city's Roman walls.
However, the last maternity ward within those defined limits was relocated to its current site a couple of miles outside the city walls in the early 1970s.

By train

Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom.
Chester is on the North Wales Coast line, over which trains starting at Crewe and Manchester run to Llandudno and Holyhead; direct trains also run from and via Chester to Birmingham, Cardiff and Shrewsbury.

• From London (2 hr 10 min) - Virgin Trains provide an hourly service to and from London Euston; otherwise a single change of trains at Crewe connects with many other London trains.
• From Liverpool (40 min) and Birkenhead (30 - 35 min) - Chester is a southern terminus on Merseyrail's Wirral Line which provides direct trains from Liverpool City Centre and the Wirral.
• From Manchester (60 min) - a second line runs between Chester and Manchester, via Northwich and Altrincham - the journey is the scenic route in all senses of the word. The trip takes substantially longer, but travels through rural Cheshire before reaching Manchester's outer suburbs. The main line saves around half an hour in travelling time.

By car

Chester is near the eastern end of the A55, which becomes the M53, which crosses the M56. London is approximately 170 miles by road, Birmingham approximately 90 miles, Manchester approximately 40 miles, Liverpool approximately 15 miles.

By coach

National Express operates coaches to Chester from various UK cities and towns. Chester coach station is permanently closed, so coaches set down passengers at a bus stop on Vicars Lane, opposite the Visitor Centre near the Roman Amphitheatre.

The city centre is relatively small with everything within walking distance. During the day, there are regular buses, or one can take a taxi:

• Abbey Taxis

  phone: +44 1244 318318
  address: 100 Foregate Street
  Taxis & private hire vehicles.

• Chester Taxi Services

  phone: +44 1244 421024
  Taxis, minibuses and airport transfers available.

• Northern Ferrari Hire

  phone: +44 845 260 8 360
  address: Deeside Lane
  Self-drive supercar hire. Drive around Chester in style.

• Cathedral

  phone: +44 1244 324756
  address: 12 Abbey Square

• Grosvenor ParkThe main ornamental park in Chester and includes a pond, miniature railway, open air theatre and children's play area.

• The Eastgate ClockIt is claimed to be the second most photographed clock in the UK. Gatehouse from 1768-9 and clock dating from 1899.

Roman Chester

Chester (or "Deva" in Latin) was one of the great military bases in Roman England, and as such, has its fair share of Roman ruins. Historians have even speculated that had the Roman departure not happened, Chester would have become the Roman Capital of England.

• WallsThe city centre is enclosed by the walls, which offer a pleasant strolling route for visitors and locals alike. Walk around the top of Roman walls that surround the city.

• Amphitheatre

  address: Vicars Lane, Chester
  Believed to have been the site of the largest wooden structure amphitheatre in the Roman Empire outside of Rome for its time, with a larger stone amphitheatre later built on-top of the foundations

• Roman GardensWith reconstructed hypocaust.

• Spud u Like

  address: Bridge Street
  The basement of this shop gives access to an original hypocaust.

• The Groves

  address: riverside
  The Groves is Chester's own riverside promenade running alongside the River Dee from the Grosvenor Park to the Old Handbridge (which gave its name to one of the suburbs on the other bank).

• Grosvenor ParkGrosvenor Park is a classical, 19th century designed park with a typical Victorian layout that includes formal avenues lined with trees, large sweeping lawns surrounded with ornamental shrub beds and bedding plants, which provide a colourful display throughout the spring and summer months. The park is located near the River Dee and with views across the river to the meadows and Queen’s Park and out towards the south of Chester.

• BoatingAlong the river. Rowing boats can be hired, or if you don't want to exert yourself, there are many boat trips that go from the river bank on the city centre side between Handbridge Suspension bridge and the walls, and they show you everything you will want to see!

• Chester Racecourse

  phone: +44 1244 304600
  It's on the Roodee, and used to be the site of the Roman port. If you're really keen on horseracing, find out the dates of the 'races days' Chester hosts a few times a year. You may have to book/ will have to book tickets in advance, check with Chester racecourse, and there is quite a range of prices. Chester is a racecourse that holds flat races only, it is a very tight left hand course. If you just want to see a bit of the race atmosphere for free, the walls walk you right past a view of the action down below. City centre bars are best avoided before and after the races, unless you wish to be very sociable because they are usually full and difficult to get a drink.

• Chester Zoo

  phone: +44 1244 380280
  address: Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1LH
  Well worth a visit, the zoo is absolutely superb and reportedly one of the best in Europe. The elephant collection is world class and it has a unique bat cave where they fly freely around visitors. It's best to leave 3-5 hours to do it properly. It's a little way out of the city centre, so either catch a bus from the bus station, or take the train from Chester Station to Bache on the Wirral Line. The latter option is extremely quick (under five minutes) and correspondingly cheap.

• Grosvenor Museum

  phone: +44 1244 402008
  address: 27 Grosvenor Street, CH1 2DD
  Small but informative museum majoring on the city's Roman heritage.

• Dewa Roman Experience

  address: Pierpoint Lane, Bridge Street, CH1 1NL
  Interactive museum about Chester's Roman history, with hands-on exhibits. If visiting in term time worth waiting until after 3PM to avoid parties of schoolkids.

• The Cheshire Military Museum

  phone: +44 1244 327617
  address: The Castle, Chester, CH1 2DN
  Museum remembering the county's military past, with archives, a shop and changing exhibitions.

• Open-top Bus TourWill get you round all the main tourist sites in 30 minutes. Several bus operators run tours.

• Christmas Lights

  address: city center
  Chester is the prettiest city in the run up to Christmas when the streets are tastefully decorated with lights. The shops are hectic but try a walk round the walls after 5PM.

• The Spa Chester

  address: Warrington Rd, CH2 3PD
  A world-class day spa offering an exhilarating sensory journey with an extensive treatment menu. Definitely worth a visit when in Chester, but lots to do so need to set aside enough time to make full use of the facilities.

Chester has fantastic shopping for its size. All the major stores are based in one of the most attractive city centres in the country. Traditional black and white Tudor buildings and The Rows (an historic two-tiered shopping gallery, the only one of its kind in the world!) coupled with good shops and great places to eat, such as The Watergates Wine Bar, are sure to make this a pleasant shopping trip.
If that doesn't satisfy your consumerist needs, Cheshire Oaks is a designer outlet 10 miles away by bus or car.
Also Chester has a traditional indoor Market located behind the town hall.

Good choices for food are:

• The Watergates Bar

  address: 13 Watergates Street
  A historic Norman crypt dating from the 11th century on the main cobbled streets just under The Rows. An extensive menu with loads of choice all at a reasonable price.

• Piccolino

  address: 33 Pepper Row, Pepper St, CH1 1EA
  Italian restaurant with a large selection of dishes and good service.

• Siam

  address: City Road
  A well-converted canal-side building (above Harkers Arms).Upstairs is good-quality Thai menu. Downstairs is Teppan-yaki style Japanese food, prepared in front of you with all the performance of juggling utensils, fire etc.

• Pastarazzi

  address: 29 Grosvenor Street
  It's in a beautiful old building near the racecourse. Offers fine dining at expensive prices.

• Brasserie 10-16

  address: Brookdale Place, CH1 3DY

• Blackstocks Fish & Chips

  phone: +44 1244 325822
  address: 33 Northgate St, CH1 2HQ
  Very high quality fish and chips at a decent price. Delicious northern fare!

Chester has plenty of historic, old-fashioned English pubs, with beer at around £2.50-3 a pint. However, most places will stop serving at around 23:30, and even a little earlier on Sundays. The only true exception being Watergates which trades until 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pubs

• The Watergates Bar

  address: 13 Watergate Street
  A great setting in an old church crypt under The Rows. Generally relaxed by daytime with a stunning rooftop garden with outside bar. Attracts a lively crowd in the evening with good music and a wide range of cocktails, beers, shooters, spirits and bottles.

• The Bear and Billet

  address: Lower Bridge Street
  A renovated 17th-century tavern that features a wide selection of beers in convivial surroundings. Decent food.

• Ye Olde Cottage Inn

  address: Brook Street
  Good local pub, serving a selection of beers, wines and spirits. Real log fires in winter, excellent beer garden at rear. Traditional English pub, oak beamed and bar, with pool and darts.

• The Falcon

  address: Lower Bridge Street
  An old tavern situated at the top of Lower Bridge Street - allegedly haunted in its basement - it serves an excellent range of beer from the Sam Smith's brewery.

• The Marlbororough ArmsWhen it needed its sign painting, the artist stopped to quench his thirst half-way through, and the rest is history. Very close to the city centre, outside it offers a 'husband-creche', where women can deposit their hapless other halves for an afternoon's shopping in peace.

• The Albion Inn

  address: Park Street, CH1 1RN
  Defiantly traditional, 'family-hostile' pub with walls covered in First World War memorabilia. Excellent beer and good home cooking.

• Grosvenor Pulford Hotel

  address: Wrexham Rd, Pulford
  Ciro’s Brasserie at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa is a magnificent Mediterranean style restaurant offering modern European cuisine and an excellent selection of fine wines from around the world.

• Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse, Bar & Grill

  phone: +44 1244 408830
  address: Hoole Hall, Warrington Road
  Set on the outskirts of Chester at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, the menu comprises everything you would expect from a traditional Steakhouse with the superior quality you would expect from Marco Pierre White.

• The Red Lion

  address: 59 Northgate Street, CH1 2HQ
  A traditional pub of character, reknowned for its eclectic range of real ales and its good quality pub food.

Bars

• Watergates

  address: 13 Watergate Street
  For late night drinks in a superb setting, you have to visit Watergates. An old church crypt under The Rows that is deceptively large with long barrels rooms and a hidden snug. Attracts a lively crowd in the evening with great music and a wide range of cocktails, beers, shooters, spirits and bottles. Open until 2AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Amber Lounge

• Bar Lounge

• Bar 69

  address: 1 Boughton
  Chester's main gay bar

Clubs

There are only a handful of night clubs and late bars to choose from. The latest any club will stay open in Chester is 03:00.

• Telford's WarehouseOne of the best clubs, alongside the canal.

• RB's (Rosie's)Ground floor is a 1990s bar, Babylon. Two more floors playing different music. Good security, lively venue.

• Cruise

  address: 4 St.John’s Street, CH1 1DA
  New club with four bars in six distinct themed areas, specific rooms for different persuasions. Classy and always a good night out.

There are many good hotels in and around the city. Contact the tourist office for details.

Budget

• Chester Backpackers

  address: 67 Boughton

Mid-range

Most B&Bs are clustered to the East of the City in Hoole. This has its own centre, with good local pubs, some restaurants and shops. Its about a mile into the city centre and not a very attractive walk, but is convenient for the train station.

• Express by Holiday Inn Chester Racecourse

  address: The Race Course

• Mercure Chester North Woodhey House Hotel

  address: Berwick Road, Little Sutton, Cheshire CH66 4PS

• Days Hotel Chester North

  address: Sealand Nr Chester, Flintshire, CH5 2HX
  Modern hotel near Chester Racecourse and just 10 minutes from Chester centre.

Splurge

• The Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa

  phone: +44 1244 324024
  address: Eastgate, CH1 1LT
  For the seriously moneyed, there is only one choice. The Grosvenor is the height of luxury and is in the centre of town.

• Best Western Queen Hotel

  phone: +44 1244 305000
  address: City Road

Chester is not an especially dangerous city, with no particular reputation for crime. The general rule is the nearer the racecourse (thus more expensive), the safer the area. However, the usual UK rules apply. Be aware that, between midnight and 3AM or so, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, there will be plenty of drunken people about, so stick to well-lit areas and main roads. If you are one of these people and don't know the city well, consider taking a cab home. Some parts of the city, especially Blacon and The Lache should be strongly avoided if you don't know the area, as they are considered unsafe.

Wales - Chester is on the border with Wales, and the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno is 50 miles (80 km) away.
Liverpool - vibrant and friendly port city, home of the Beatles, the Liver bird and a great skyline.
Manchester - old Cottonopolis is now a cosmopolitan metropolis.