BUSYBUS. Chester sightseeing Bus Tours from Chester.

	More About CHESTER...
	Chester, the ancient walled City is on England's North West frontier with Wales. The national boundary is only two miles from Chester City Centre. To the east lies the prominent Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, which rises from the Cheshire Plain and follows closely the Sandstone Trail. Chester is the county town of Cheshire, and is centrally located within the UK in the North West region. Its excellent concentration of motorways, roads and railways makes most areas of the UK within easy traveling distance and is well served by Liverpool and Manchester Airports. Private aircraft can be accommodated at Hawarden Airport, four miles form the City.
		Chester is arguably the richest city in Britain for archaeological and architectural treasures preserved to this day from the time of the Roman occupation. Originally the fortress site of the 20th legion (Valeria Victrix) it was charged with suppressed the uprising of the army led by the warrior queen, Boadicea, the town being known then (circa. AD70) as Deva, and soon became a major trading port. Its massive harbour and border position made it one of the finest strategic outposts of the Roman Empire. Long after the Romans had gone, during the Dark Ages, Viking raiders arrived in their long boats along the same route. After the Romans withdrew circa AD40, the prosperous city fell prey to marauding Danes and Saxons and was virtually derelict by 900. The Normans reached Chester circa 1070 and a revival began, Chester Castle was built, housing Hugh the Wolf, First Earl of Chester, nephew of William the Conqueror. By the Middle Ages, Chester had become an affluent and prosperous port. It was during this time that the famous Rows were built. so that by the 13th century, it had again become a centre of shipping trade, a port serving Scotland, Ireland, France and Spain. In the 14th century began the Mystery Plays and pageants for which the city became famous. Henry VIII granted a charter in 1541 and made Chester a bishopric.
	By the 15th century, the Dee began to silt up and gradually, the seaborne trade died. Impoverished by this natural action the 1640s brought devastation during the English Civil War, with the city under siege for two years until starvation forced surrender. But throughout this chequered history, the Roman walls remained virtually intact. The walls extend in a 2 mile circuit and give a vivid reminder of what a medieval fortified town was like. In the Middle Ages, several towers and gates to the walls were made: the most important of these was at Eastgate, now astride a main throughfare and crowned with an anachronistic clock commemorating Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee (1897).

By the 1700s, the River Dee had changed course and the port had silted up. The walls were no longer needed for defence and were restyled into the pleasant walkways that we enjoy today.

The Industrial Revolution brought canals, railways and roads. It was during this time that many important buildings were restored.

The most distinctive medieval feature of the city is The Rows. These are double-level walkways with a continuous line of balconies and with shops at street and first-floor levels. The Rows are unique and were certainly in existence in the 14th century.

One of the most popular places to visit is the Cathedral, which attracts over one million visitors each year. Entry is free of charge but donations are invited from all who wish to help support the work of the Dean and Chapter to maintain the fabric and develop the ministry of this beautiful Cathedral.

All who visit will be made most welcome, and encouraged to share in the rich beauty of this, the most complete medieval monastic complex still standing in the UK. With records of a church on this site since the early tenth century, it was founded as a Benedictine Monastery dedicated to St Werburgh on 1092. In 1541, following the dissolution of the monasteries, it was rededicated as the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Chester, the mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Chestet.

This site has been a place of worship for over one thousand years, standing as a living and vibrant symbol of Christianity in the North West of England. Throughout all of this time its ministry has continued without interruption through periods of adversity such as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the English Civil War and the two world wars.

Chester was recently ranked best city in England to visit and tenth most profitable in a survey of English towns and cities. It offers an impressive international commercial centre, comprising high street favourites such as Marks & Spencer and BhS, specialist shops in eg Godstall Lane, Rufus Court, and St Michael's Arcade, and department stores, such as the renowned Browns of Chester.

The main shopping area within the beautiful historic walled City and extending from the famous Eastgate Clock make for a truly pleasurable experience.

Chester has unique character in its two-tiered galleries of shops, the Rows, traditional black and white buildings which have been restored and re-developed to provide easy access to Chester's main shopping streets.

BUSYBUS looks forward to being part of your holiday memories!!