This edition of Pretty Places takes a look at some of the sights to see if you plan to visit Chester. The town is steeped in history and is easily accessed from most of England’s and North Wales’s major cities. From Roman ruins to Tudor taverns, Chester is an easy day out for any history or period architecture lover.

Located strategically near the River Dee’s discharge into the Irish Sea, Chester is a walled English cathedral city close to the border of Wales. Due to it’s convenient location it has been an important centre for trade and government throughout history. In 75 AD, Romans colonised what was Celtic land, and set to work constructing a large fort, the remains of which can be seen today at various points around the city, as well as Britain’s largest amphitheatre, a shrine to Goddess Minerva, a heated bath house and parts of a settlement. The fortress was larger than any other in Britain at that time, and its, therefore, believed that Chester was set to be the capital of Roman Britain. After the Empire began to collapse and Romans largely retreated from Britain, the Anglo-Saxons took over and left their own imprint on the city of Chester. The first incarnation of the town’s cathedral was built during medieval times and after the invasion of William the Conquerer, many of the black and white buildings that typify the look of Chester as we see it today, were built.

The Rows, as the black and white timber-framed buildings are known, were constructed in the 1200s, built along the Roman roads that came to be known as Watergate Street and Eastgate Street where the bustling centre of Chester remains to this day, Victorian replicas sprung up through the city too, giving the city its distinctive architectural look. It is on Eastgate Street that Chester’s famous Victorian clock tower stands over the cobblestone road below. Following the road westwards leads to Chester Cross, a 14th century historical monument marking the centre of the Roman roads of Watergate uniting with Northgate. Turning north up Northgate leads to Chester’s visitor information centre and town hall as well several Roman remains, as well as the large medieval cathedral.

Chester Cathedral was formerly a Benedictine Monastery and has parts dating back to 1093. Though the cathedral is a Anglican Church, there is an abundance of colourful and gilded decorations inside, from its richly painted vaulted ceilings to its intricately tiled floors, and if you’re able to visit during at noon on a bright day, you’ll see beams of coloured light dancing across the walls from the stained glass windows. The cathedral also features cloisters surrounding a lush central garden with elaborate water features. Much of Chester is owned by the Grosvenor family and a monument to the first Duke of Westminster can be found within the Cathedral.

Further down Watergate is Chester Racecourse, which meets River Dee. Following the Dee eastwards leads to Chester Castle, a medieval construction with 18th-century additions. The castle originates from the Norman conquest and features a Normal chapel within. The site was home to numerous executions over the centuries as well as a prison and later barracks. Next to the castle is the Chester Military Museum, close to the Grosvenor Museum – a family-friendly attraction dedicated to the history of Chester and natural history. Continuing up the river is Grosvenor Park, a large public park with miniature railway, pond and well maintained gardens. The north western tip of the park meets the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre, close to the city walls, which, if followed, leads back to the main street of the city.

There are plenty of other attractions in Chester, that are not history related such as the internationally renown Chester Zoo, which has over 20,000 animals and leads the way for animal conservation, breeding a number of endangered animals. The zoo lies just outside the city to the north. The shopping destination of Cheshire Oaks also lies closely to the city and is the largest retail outlet in the United Kingdom, with outlets for high-end brands like Burberry, Armani and Ralph Lauren, as well as British staples like Barbour, Mulberry, Church’s and Joules, all with discounts up to 60%. If, however, you’re looking for an escape from the hubbub, Chester also benefits from Chester Golf Club, a host of hotels with built-in spas and restaurants, and Chester Sailing Club on the River Dee, opposite Chester Meadows – a large expanse of untouched heath set within the city.

Find out more about the city at its official tourism website Visit Chester, where you’ll also find out about methods of getting there and their latest Covid-19 guidelines. Chester has a central train station, a host of NCP car parks as well as a harbour on the River Dee. The nearest airports are Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester International. Take a look at other nearby Pretty Places, like Knutsford, or view similar historic towns in previous posts like Lincoln, Shrewsbury or Lancaster. You can view all Pretty Places posts by clicking on the ‘Pretty Places‘ tag, at the bottom of this post.

images: scene therapy