Chester

The original Roman city of Chester is a fascinating place to visit. Not far from its ancient red stone walls, you’ll find historical sites, fantastic shopping experiences, lively nightlife, horseracing and great ideas for family excursions. Plus the city is only minutes away from both Merseyside and the rolling hills of North Wales

Explore all that Chester has to offer from the comfort of a Best Western hotel. Our city centre hotels offer easy access to the sites and attractions, and we have several others in locations nearby too. So whether you prefer the bustle and excitement of the city or the peaceful, lush Cheshire countryside, we have an option to suit you.

Explore Chester
Things to do in Chester

Things to do in Chester

The city has grown and changed randomly through the ages – from the original Roman fort of almost 2000 years ago to today’s urban streets. Tudor buildings rub shoulders with Victorian architecture and modern office blocks. You get a real sense of an enduring city.

  • City walls - Built by the Romans around AD 70, walking their two-mile circuit is a great starting point. Look out for the Eastgate clock – the second most famous in England after Big Ben. There’s also a fascinating Roman amphitheatre near Grosvenor Park.
  • Chester Cathedral – Originally a Benedictine abbey built on the remains of an earlier Saxon church, most of these spectacular buildings date back to the 12th century.
  • Chester Racecourse - Known as the Roodee, this is the oldest surviving racecourse in England. Often used as a venue for conferences and antique fairs too.
  • Chester Zoo – The largest in Britain and home to over 7000 animals, this award-winning zoo is a must for a family day-out.

Shopping in Chester

Shopping in Chester

Chester could be called the spiritual home of shopping as it features the some of the oldest shopfronts in England. It’s certainly packed with enough stores and boutiques to suit all tastes.

  • The Rows – A unique, tiered shopping gallery found on all four main streets of Chester. Over 700 years old, this is arguably the first shopping centre in the country.
  • Northgate Street and Watergate Street are where you’ll find all the High Street favourites.
  • Grosvenor or The Forum Shopping Centre – modern, covered retail malls where you can shop with no worries about the weather.

Eating and drinking in Chester

Eating and drinking in Chester

Eating or drinking beside the beautiful River Dee is an amazing experience. You’ll discover some of the city's best pubs and eateries along its banks. You’ll find a host of restaurants catering to world cuisines too.

  • The Old Boot Inn on Eastgate Row North – dating back to 1643, this is one of the oldest pubs in the city with an authentic atmosphere to match.
  • Chef’s Table – Offering modern British cuisine sourced from fresh local produce, one of the best dining experiences in the city.
  • La P'tite France – As the name suggests, a small, family run restaurant specialising in French cuisine, together with extensive wine cellar. Bon appetit! 

Culture and nightlife in Chester

Culture and nightlife in Chester

As you might expect for such an ancient city, Chester has much history on display. There’s also a cornucopia of pubs and clubs offering live music and comedy amidst the meandering old streets.

  • The Grosvenor Museum- The city's major museum contains many Roman artefacts as well as an art gallery. It concentrates on local heritage but often hosts exhibitions from all over the world.
  • Telford’s Warehouse – Superbly located on the canal basin, this historic building used to serve Chester’s once-thriving port. Nowadays it plays host to specialist live music entertainment instead.
  • Cheshire Military Museum – Educational and informative, this tells the story of Cheshire soldiers and their regiments from the 17th century to the present day.

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