Things to do in Chester

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Things to do in Chester is not just based around traditional history. However Cheshire is famous for its history. Firstly the city of Chester was founded as a fort, known as Deva, by the Romans in AD 79. The city grew in importance until the importance of the Port of Liverpool from international trade took over. The city’s emphasis then changed, becoming a place to escape from the more industrial cities of Liverpool and Manchester during the Georgian and Victorian periods.

However Chester is not just an array of historic monuments, it is famous for one of the world’s top zoos, many musical festivals, and it’s little wonder Chester is high on Things to do in UK and is one of England’s most popular places to visit.
The Things to do in Chester list does include venues like the magnificent medieval city wall. In fact, the whole “Old City” itself is a conservation area for more than half an century with is famous shopping centres on two level medieval arcades with very trendy brand shopping. Where to stay in Chester can include numerous well-preserved historic half-timbered houses so you can absorb the whole medieval experience in your stay in Chester.

The wall around Chester is the best preserved of its kind in Britain – it is nearly a two-mile walk, built mostly of red sandstone and goes round the whole town centre. Cester city wall has four main gates: Northgate, Eastgate, Bridgegate, and Watergate and includes the Chester Castle.

For Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, Chester built a clock in celebration and is situated at the Eastgate. Considered one of the most photographed “selfie” backgrounds int he UK.

Walking the wall is a must thing to do in Chester, the Wall has the King Charles’ Tower and houses a small civil war museum where you can learn about all the battles around this Welsh boarder City. We will not go into detail here but if enjoy historic facts you can find it all here.

Chester is a top venue in the UK for horse racing, the sandstone Water Tower built in 1325 near the Grosvenor Bridge is adjacent to the Rodee (an ancient horse racing track). If your looking to create better luck on which horse, be sure to add visiting the famous Wishing Steps on the Things to do in Chester list. Though make sure your fit as the legend is that you have to run up and down twice without drawing breath for your wishes to be fulfilled.

Chester’s uniqueness is its galleried shopping walkways which is found in all the four of the town’s main streets which meeting at right angles at the centre market cross. Dating back to the 14th century it is very unique to the UK. Things to do in Chester just for selfies and great photos is the Tudor House, built in 1603 and one of the oldest dwellings in the city. Also the Bear and Billet, a four storied half-timbered inn also makes for great photos backgrounds.

For great photos and history, is the Chester Cathedral which was rebuilt on the site of an older church dating back to AD 958 previously a Benedictine abbey before becoming a cathedral following the dissolution in the era of Henry VIII in 1541. If your travelling to Chester with Kids and teenagers then add Chester Zoo to your list of things to see in Chester, and things to do in Chester with Children add the Blue Planet Aquarium. Less than a over a mile away from the centre is the UK’s largest and most popular zoo – the Chester Zoo. A 125-acre site that has had its own main stream TV show. Opened by the Queen in July 1998, The Blue Planet Aquarium was then the largest aquarium in the UK. The freshwater aquarium is located near the notorious Cheshire Oaks retail and leisure complex, a venue you can spend a whole day entertaining the whole family.

You can’t get away from the Roman Experience in Chester with fun Roman soldier patrols through the city that you can sign up as a new recruitment. Chester’s Roman past can be experienced with guided city tours. The Roman Amphitheatre, the Roman Gardens with its access to the River Dee are just a 5 minute walk away from the town clock and also on many list of things to do in Chester.

Chester is well networked with quick routes to Liverpool, Manchester and the home to BusyBus to manage its regional tours. If absorbing the scenery of the region is on your TO DO List then experience the unique day bus tour to see Snowdonia – North Wales, or see Lake Windermere from Chester train station.