Our Chester Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for one of England’s most beautiful cities. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Chester!
Plan your visit to Chester
Chester is a walled city located in Cheshire in England’s north west close to the border with Wales.
This historic cathedral city was founded in 79AD during the time of the Roman Empire when a Roman fort was constructed on the site. It is one of the best-preserved walled cities in England (other walled cities include York, Durham, Carlisle and Canterbury) and has many medieval buildings located in the city centre.
Chester is one of England’s most beautiful cities and can be easily reached by train in around 2 hours from London which makes it possible to plan a day trip to Chester.
If you are considering spending one day in Chester or even a weekend in Chester (staycation vacation) our Chester guide contains all the information you need to plan your trip.
What you will find in this complete Chester Travel Guide
Map of Chester
Chester travel guide – Visiting Chester FAQ’s
When is the best time of year to visit Chester?
Chester is a great destination to visit throughout the year. While temperatures drop over the winter months to an average high of only 10 degrees centigrade it is still a popular time to visit due to the city’s annual Christmas market.
The warmest time of year to visit Chester is during the summer months of June – August. On average, these are also the driest months to visit Chester.
How many days do you need in Chester?
Chester is a popular destination for those seeking a short break although a day trip to Chester will enable you to see many of the city’s attractions.
Chester is a great destination to add to a train trip itinerary of the UK due to its excellent transport links from cities such as Liverpool, London, Manchester Cardiff and Birmingham.
Chester is also a great base from which to explore North Wales and even the Lake District. Tours such as this day trip to North Wales which includes the Snowdonia National Park are an ideal way to see the amazing landscape associated with this stunning part of Wales.
What is the best way to explore Chester?
The historic centre of Chester is easy to explore on foot. In fact, the centre is actually closed to traffic between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm!
Alternatively consider buying tickets on the Chester hop-on-hop-off bus tour and enjoy unlimited hop-on hop-off for 24 or 48 hours.
What is the best way to travel to Chester from London?
By train from London
For timetables and tickets, we recommend the trainline. Take the train to Chester for a short break or incorporate it into your UK train travel itinerary.
Tip – If this is your first time catching a train in the UK read our complete guide to UK train travel which includes all the information you need to know to make travelling around the UK by rail a relaxing and stress-free experience.
- Distance from London: 263 km
- Time taken by train: 2 hours
- Leave from: London Euston
⭐️ Things to do in Chester (& North West)
Chester Cathedral ⛪ – A stunning Gothic-style cathedral with impressive architecture, beautiful gardens, and a tower you can climb the 216 steps for panoramic views of the city.
Chester City Walls 🏰 – Walk along the most complete Roman and medieval city walls in Britain, offering fantastic views of Chester’s historic landmarks.
The Rows 🛍️ – Unique, two-tiered medieval shopping galleries with charming half-timbered buildings, offering a mix of modern shops and independent boutiques.
Chester Roman Amphitheatre 🏟️ – Explore the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain, once the site of gladiator combat and military training.
Eastgate Clock 🕰️ – Often called the second most photographed clock in the UK, this beautiful Victorian clock stands on the historic Eastgate, marking the entrance to Chester.
Grosvenor Park 🌳 – A lovely Victorian park perfect for a stroll or picnic, with gardens, a miniature railway, and an open-air theatre.
Chester Zoo 🦁 – One of the UK’s best zoos, home to thousands of animals from around the world, including many endangered species, spread across beautifully landscaped grounds.
River Dee and The Groves 🚤 – Enjoy a relaxing riverside walk or boat trip along the picturesque River Dee, with plenty of cafés and seating along the promenade.
Chester Racecourse 🏇 – The oldest racecourse still in use in England, hosting exciting horse racing events and offering beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Cheshire Military Museum 🎖️ – Discover the history of the Cheshire Regiment and other local military units, with displays on their roles in various conflicts throughout history.
THINGS TO DO IN CHESTER (Coming soon)
Accommodation in Chester
- The Hotel Indigo Chester is our recommended accommodation choice – read our full review of this fabulous hotel.
Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for England.
Tickets, tours & attractions in Chester
This is our selection of the best tours and attractions available in Chester.
- Experience a walking tour of Chester and gain a fantastic insight into its multi-layered history stretching from its Roman origins, through historical events such as the English Civil War to today’s bustling city. Highlights include the unique shopping arcade called The Rows, historical streets and the 16th-century cathedral as well as the beautiful riverside along the Dee.
- Admission ticket for Sick to Death in Chester: Sick to Death offers a unique attraction full of learning and discovery as well as activities and fun things to do. This is ideal for families (although some areas may be parent advisory.) Experience science and medicine in a unique way which may be gory at times but will also leave you asking questions.
- Fascinating Walking Tours Of Roman Chester With An Authentic Roman Soldier – An award winning tour which consistently receives four and 5 star reviews on trip advisor. A unique quality experience of the lives of those that built Britain biggest Roman fort and amphitheatre.
Best day trips from Chester England
I have handpicked the best group tours available from Chester through Get Your Guide (we book most of our day tours and organised activities through Get Your Guide due to their great customer service and cancellation policy) and Viator (another tour company we have used during our travels).
For private tours, we recommend booking with our partner Boutique Tours of North Wales – please let John know you heard about his tours on our website.
- Lake District Tour – This tour gives you a day in the Lake District National Park, leaving from Chester. It’s an ideal way to see the amazing landscapes associated with this stunning National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- North Wales tour (small group tour with Mountain Goat) – This tour gives you a day in North Wales including the Snowdonia National Park, from Chester. It’s an ideal way to see the amazing landscape associated with this stunning part of Wales and the National Park.
- Yorkshire Adventure – Sightseeing Day Trip Tour with Busy Bus – Spend the day exploring the Yorkshire Moors and sights including the family home of the Bronte Sisters and the Ribblehead viaduct.
Enjoy your visit to Chester!
This guide will provide inspiration plus practical information to help plan your visit to Chester. You will find more inspiration and ideas to help plan your travels around England in these travel guides:
Looking for more inspiration for your travels in England? Check out my England Travel Planning Guide which has lots of ideas, tips and resources to plan your itinerary.