Chester

Summary
Dating back to Roman times when it was called Deva, Chester is ringed by a red sandstone wall that Romans built to keep out the fierce, marauding Welsh tribes. These days the city’s ‘devas’ are now probably the ubiquitous cast of Hollyoaks which is filmed in the city. The teenage soap uses the city’s historic streets and buildings as a backdrop to its outdoor scenes.

Favourite spots including The Rows covered shopping streets dating back to post-Roman times, The Groves along the River Dee, and under the Eastgate Clock, the country’s second most photographed clock after Big Ben. So far they haven’t made it to the magnificent Norman Cathedral but you never know.

Getting there/getting around Chester
Chester is 188 miles from London and 40 miles from Manchester. There are daily bus services to Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, Llandudno, Birmingham, London and Liverpool or you could catch the train which takes three hours from London and 90 minutes from Manchester. Liverpool is the closest airport, about a 40-minute drive from the centre of Chester.

The city centre is car-free for much of the day and because the walled part of the city is easy to explore on foot or by bike, you might as well leave the car at home.

Sightseeing in Chester
Roman sights include the city walls which take about 90-120 minutes to walk round and are a good way of getting your city bearings, and the Roman amphitheatre, which is similar in shape to Rome’s Colosseum highlighting Chester’s significance in Roman times.

The magnificent Norman Cathedral was built in medieval times and The Rows shopping streets were constructed in the ruins of the Roman city, although many of the black and white buildings were rebuilt in Victorian times. You should also stroll around the walls taking in the canal and enjoying the gorgeously quaint shops.

Learn more about Roman and medieval history at the Grosvenor Museum or the Chester Military Museum or enjoy an interactive experience at the Dewa Roman Experience. Just outside the Wolf Gate, the foundations of a fortress can be seen and across the road is the Roman Garden containing many Roman stones and a reconstruction of a hypocast, or central heating system. Slightly further away is the northern half of the Amphitheatre. Built by legionaries for weapon training, it was later used as a bear pit.

Family attractions in Chester
Britain's largest zoo is just three miles north of Chester. It’s set in 110 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and houses many rare and endangered creatures and has a wide collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Highlights include the Chimp Island, the penguin pool (with an underwater viewing gallery) and the Elephant House. Inside the zoo is a monorail and waterbus and there are direct buses from Chester railway station in summer.

Kids usually love the Dewa Roman Experience off Bridge Street on Pierpoint Lane, which shows what life was really like in Roman times. There’s also the Chester Toy Museum, for kids (and adults of course) who like Dinky and Matchbox toys. In the summer, head along the river to the Minerva Shrine and the relaxing Groves park where you can hire a boat and enjoy a picnic.

Day trips from Chester
The fabulous city of Liverpool is just a short distance away from Chester. Do as Gerry And The Pacemakers did and catch a ferry across the Mersey to Birkenhead. Or stroll around the Albert Dock and visit Tate Liverpool which is home to the biggest collection of modern art in the UK outside London. Fans of The Beatles should head to the Britannia Vaults for The Beatles Story Experience where you can chart the lives and times of the Fab Four. Otherwise, take a wander around the city and take in Liverpool’s two cathedrals as well as the Liver Building. It’s great for shopping too.

You could also visit two countries on one holiday and drive into Wales for the day to explore Rhyl or Colwyn Bay. Snowdonia’s a little further way, but great for hiking or mountain climbing.

Shopping in Chester
The Rows, two-storey medieval lanes full of dinky little shops, are unique to Chester and offer you the chance to splash the cash in a wonderfully historic setting. Dating back to the 13th century, four of these lanes fan out from the High Cross. The undercrofts, or shops arcaded by the first-storey walkway, were built on by later developers - hence the double storey. The Rows are rare examples of this kind of medieval construction on top of Roman building debris.

There are many antique shops in Chester, as well as little specialist shops selling teddy bears and other gifts. You will be spoilt for choice. If you want even more choice, head for Liverpool. Matthew Street is the place to go for independent boutiques and designer labels and you’ll find Vivienne Westwood, Cricket and Drome stores.

Restaurants in Chester
There’s a good range of eating options in Chester and among the best restaurants are Francs on Cuppin St, Vito's Trattoria and Dino's (Italian) and Vincent (Caribbean). Upstairs at the Grill was voted 'Best Small Restaurant 2006' at the Chester Food and Drink Festival.
Abbey Green Restaurant, Garden House and Chester Row all serve good traditional English food and Hattie's is a traditional genteel teahouse near Northgate. You’ll find the usual fast food outlets and the area near the train station is great for a curry.

Nightlife in Chester
Chester is full of really good traditional English pubs. The Bear and Bullet is a beautiful black and white timbered building and is one of the most popular pubs in town thanks to its superb selection of ales. Ye Olde Kings Head is another classic Chester building and it offers good food as well as drink. Alexander's Jazz Theatre by Northgate draws a mixed crowd and combines a cafe, wine bar and tapas bar. It’s a great place for a drink and a bite to eat with a live musical accompaniment. Other live music venues include Scruffy Murphy's and Telford's Warehouse at Tower Wharf.

There is a theatre in Chester, The Gateway, but you’re probably better off heading into Liverpool where you’ll find famous theatres such as the Playhouse, Everyman, Empire and Royal Court.