Chester offers a mixture of history and nature
The historic market town of Chester boasts an impressive past, dating back over two thousand years as an important city in the Roman Empire. Nowadays much of Chester is focused around its history, with a spectacular array of ancient architecture enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. Although a well-visited destination, Chester often feels like a relaxing city particularly with its array of park areas and the charming River Dee flowing through the centre. Indeed, it is one of Great Britain’s more profound historic settlements, often overlooked by tourists to the northwest of the country.
A city built by the Romans
Being a Roman city, Chester was initially built up inside old Roman city walls and much of these still stand, forming the core of the city. Walking along the city walls is a must-do when visiting Chester, plus is also an excellent method to understand the geography and orientation of the city. Another focal point for history-lovers is the city’s cathedral, situated at the heart of Chester since the 11th century. Visitors enjoy the impressive architecture and surrounding gardens, which are both often used to house a variety of events throughout the year. The city continued to develop through the Victorian Age and this is also reflected in many of the core buildings across the city centre. Chester Town Hall is a prime example of this; rebuilt in 1869 after a significant fire, the building was designed in a gothic revival style. In addition, several of the hotels Chester possesses are housed in beautiful Victorian buildings, adding an extra element of magic to a stay in the city.
The relaxing natural side of Chester
The core of the city is where much of the commercial side of Chester continues to exist and the River Dee forms a crucial part of this. The river meanders along the south of the city centre and provides a natural geographic boundary to the central area. It is also a picturesque element of the city and as a result many of the hotels in Chester can be found along the banks, offering superb views. Indeed, the other key point of interest from the Roman Era lies close to the River Dee; the ruins of the Chester Roman Amphitheatre. The Amphitheatre is the largest found in the United Kingdom and is thus a significant piece of Roman history, which is a major draw for visitors. Further east along the riverbanks lies the large green area of Chester Meadows, home to an abundance of wildlife plus a popular area for relaxing and escaping the city. Closer to the centre lies Grosvenor Park, another renowned area of Chester, designed in the 19th century and full with quaint trees and flowerbeds.
Two nationally recognised attractions
In the opposite direction along the River Dee from the Chester Meadows, there is the well-known Chester Racecourse. Boarded by the river on one side and the city walls near to the other, the racecourse is in a very central area of Chester. On days when races occur, the city becomes very hectic across the centre, with bars filled with racing enthusiasts soaking up the atmosphere of this famous course. Another major attraction which Chester is known for is its zoo; one of the largest in the United Kingdom. Situated around eight miles north of the city centre, it is easily accessible by a range of transport options ensuring easy access from any hotel in Chester. There are also hotels near to Chester Zoo which offer packages and hotel deals to add an extra level of convenience for visitors. The zoo itself dates back to the first half of the 20th century and now houses many unique and rare species, increasing its appeal and audience numbers.
A base to explore further afield
Many of the visitors to Chester either transit through a larger city en-route or use Chester as a base to explore further into the countryside. Situated just a couple of kilometres from the border with Wales, Chester is the largest city in the area and is therefore both a hub for smaller Welsh communities and a base for tourists to discover North Wales. Welsh seaside towns such as Prestatyn and Llandudno make for popular day trips, especially in the summer months. Additionally, Snowdonia National Park is under 100km away from Chester, making it a viable option to visit for nature-lovers and adventure seekers. Chester is also less than an hour’s drive from Liverpool or Manchester, two major cities of England’s Northwest. Staying at a Chester hotel and making a day trip up to the big cities can be a pleasant way to balance large city sightseeing with staying in a more relaxing environment such is the smaller town of Chester.