Located in the North West of England, close to the Welsh border, Chester is a historic city where Roman ruins, medieval streets and beautiful architecture come together in a way I have not experienced anywhere else. Beyond its famous city walls and cathedral, I loved discovering hidden passages, peaceful riverside walks and little historic details around almost every corner. In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Chester, from must-see landmarks to some of my favourite hidden gems, to help you plan a day trip or weekend visit.
Currency: British Pound (£)
Language: English
Best Time to Visit: Spring and Summer
Suggested Visit: 1 day
The word ‘chester’ appears in many English place names, such as Manchester, Winchester and Colchester. It comes from the Latin word ‘castra’, meaning a Roman military camp, which shows how much the Romans influenced the names of places across Britain.
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A Brief History of Chester
Chester is one of England’s oldest and best-preserved historic cities. It was founded by the Romans in AD 79 as the fortress of Deva Victrix, one of the largest Roman military bases in Britain. Large sections of the Roman city walls still surround the city today, making Chester one of the best places in the country to discover Roman history.
After the Romans left Britain, Chester continued to grow under the Saxons before becoming an important medieval trading centre thanks to its location near the River Dee. During the medieval period, Chester developed many of the features that still define the city today, including its famous timber-framed buildings and the unique two-level shopping galleries known as The Rows.
Today, Chester blends nearly 2,000 years of history with a vibrant atmosphere. What I loved most was wandering through the city and discovering Roman ruins, medieval streets, impressive architecture and historic landmarks at every turn, each one revealing a different chapter in Chester’s long and fascinating history.
How to Get Around Chester?
One of the best things about Chester is how easy it is to explore on foot. Most of the main sights are within a 10 to 15-minute walk of each other, and wandering the historic streets is part of the charm! However, if you want to give your legs a rest, the Chester Hop On Hop Off Bus is a good option, as it stops at most of the city’s main attractions and includes live commentary for those interested in learning more about Chester’s history.
12 Best Things to Do in Chester
Explore Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is one of the city’s most impressive landmarks, but what makes it interesting is the history hidden behind its beautiful architecture. Originally a Benedictine abbey, the building survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century and later became a cathedral. I actually preferred the quieter corners of the cathedral to the grander spaces, especially the cloisters, which almost made me forget I was still in the middle of the city!
Wander Through Chester’s Historic Rows
The Rows are probably the first thing that makes Chester feel different from other English cities. These medieval covered walkways run above street level, with shops and cafés occupying both the street level and the raised walkways above. Some parts date back hundreds of years, although many buildings were restored during the Victorian period. What makes The Rows special is that they are still part of everyday Chester life, with independent shops, cafés, and businesses occupying spaces that have been used for centuries!
Explore St Michael’s Row
While many visitors explore the main Rows, St Michael’s Row offers a quieter look at Chester’s historic shopping streets. I enjoyed this area because it felt slightly calmer than the busier parts of the city centre, making it a lovely place to slow down and look at the details around you. Today, the historic shopping galleries are home to a mix of independent boutiques and luxury brands, creating a rather unusual contrast between Chester’s traditional architecture and modern shopping.
Admire the Eastgate Clock and Historic Streets
The Eastgate Clock is one of Chester’s most recognisable landmarks and sits on top of the medieval Eastgate, one of the original entrances through Chester’s city walls. Built in the late 19th century to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, it has become a symbol of Chester. From here, I recommend taking your time walking along the surrounding streets because some of the best views come from simply looking upwards at the old buildings around you.
Take in Chester’s Black And White Buildings
Chester’s black and white buildings are one of the city’s most photographed features, but their story is slightly more complicated than it first appears. Many of the buildings were restored or recreated during the Victorian period, inspired by Tudor timber-framed architecture. As someone from Alsace in eastern France, I especially loved them because the timber-framed houses reminded me a little of home! I enjoyed walking aimlessly in the street, looking above the shop windows and admiring all the little details in the carved wood.
Walk Along the Chester City Walls
Chester’s city walls are among the most complete Roman and medieval defensive walls in Britain. Walking along them gives you a completely different view of the city, with glimpses over rooftops, gardens, and historic landmarks. The walk is completely free and takes around an hour, although some sections include steps and uneven surfaces. It is one of those places where history feels surprisingly close, especially when you remember these paths have been used for almost 2,000 years.
Discover Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre
Hidden just outside the main shopping streets, Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre is one of the city’s most important Roman remains. Built in the 1st century, it was the largest amphitheatre in Britain and could have hosted thousands of spectators watching performances, public events and possibly military training. Today, only part of the structure remains, but standing here gives you a fascinating glimpse into everyday Roman life in Chester.
Visit the Sick To Death Museum
The Sick to Death Museum is one of Chester’s most unusual attractions and definitely not your typical history museum. Located inside a medieval church, it explores the history of medicine, disease and death through interactive displays and a slightly dark sense of humour. It is a fun stop if you enjoy learning about the stranger sides of history, although it may not be the best choice for anyone who dislikes medical topics.
Walk Along the River Dee
The River Dee has shaped Chester for centuries, helping the city become an important trading centre during the medieval period. Today, the riverside is one of the nicest places to escape the busy streets, with walking paths, views across the water and a completely different side of the city to discover.
Cross the Queen’s Park Bridge
Queen’s Park Bridge is one of the best places to enjoy views of Chester from a different perspective. The elegant suspension bridge crosses the River Dee and connects the city with the quieter paths on the opposite side. It is often missed by visitors focusing on Chester’s historic centre, but I think it is one of the best places to appreciate the city from a different angle.
Relax in Grosvenor Park
Grosvenor Park is a beautiful Victorian park located just outside the city walls. Designed in the 19th century, it offers a peaceful escape with landscaped gardens, colourful flower beds, and views towards the River Dee. What surprised me most was not just the park itself, but the number of squirrels living here! Several even came close enough that they touched my hand, which was such a funny and unexpected moment during my visit. After exploring so much history, I found it was the perfect place to slow down for a while.
Enjoy An Afternoon Tea
After a day spent wandering through nearly 2,000 years of history, I cannot think of a better place to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea than Chester. During my visit, I stopped at Odd Fellows, a cosy tea room hidden among the city’s historic streets. After hours of walking around Chester, it was exactly the kind of place my mum and I needed. Sitting down with a warm cup of tea surrounded by beautiful architecture made me realise that afternoon tea almost feels like another attraction in itself.
Is Chester Worth Visiting?
Chester is absolutely worth visiting if you enjoy places where history is still part of everyday life. What I loved most was that you do not need to spend your whole day inside museums to experience the past. It is there while you walk along the city walls, browse the historic Rows, or sit beside the River Dee. Despite being smaller than nearby cities like Liverpool or Manchester, Chester never felt short of things to discover. In fact, I think its compact size is exactly what makes it so enjoyable to explore at a slower pace.
If you enjoyed exploring Chester, I also recommend reading my guide to the free things to do in Gloucester, another historic English city full of beautiful architecture and fascinating stories. And if you are planning a longer city break instead, my weekend itinerary for Nottingham is packed with history, hidden gems and plenty of great places to explore!
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