Out & About in Chester

Upmarket and cosmopolitan, the city of Chester combines the buzz of great shopping, street cafes and sports venues with an indelible sense of history. From the medieval buildings to the Cathedral, the City Walls to the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain, every one of Chester's landmark historic attractions peels away another layer of a fascinating past. Away from the hustle and bustle of the centre, the Dee offers gentle riverside walks with the chance to relax and unwind in a choice of welcoming pubs. Chester's Roodee Racecourse, the oldest of its kind in England, is a frequent scene of revelry and celebration and is just a short walk from the town centre with its restaurants and bars. Just a few miles to the North, Chester Zoo is a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Shopping

The setting may be medieval but there's nothing dated about shopping in Chester. In fact, there's a certain magic here that's hard to find anywhere else, and an element of style to be found behind every shop front. Wherever you wander, you'll find a wide choice of shopping options available ranging from popular department stores to little independent outlets selling a treasure trove of gifts and trinkets. Take a stroll along the City walls and you'll come across no less than 3 second-hand book sellers. The highlight of your Chester shopping trip, however, has to be a stroll along the famous Rows, shop-lined walkways that intersect the distinctive terraces of black and white half-timbered buildings, criss-crossed by ancient worn steps and rickety alleyways. The Forum Indoor Shopping Centre, and the Grosvenor with its attractive glass canopy ceiling, both offer a selection of popular high street and designer outlets and are centrally located alongside the boutiques, jewellers and fine art shops of pedestrianised Eastgate, Bridge Street and Watergate streets.

Food and Drink

The mood in Chester is strikingly cosmopolitan and this is certainly reflected in the range of cuisine on offer in the town's restaurants, cafes, terraces and bars. There's everything here to suit every taste, from cosy tea rooms to sushi bars. So if you're feeling in the mood, why not mix Mexican with latin rhythms at Fiesta Havana, relax in Chester's most beautiful Gothic building at Convivio or dip into delectable dishes at the Mezze Bar. That's before you go on to savour the Mediterranean flavours at Ego, tucked into mussels at Moules a Gogo and experienced Thai Teppan-Yaki food theatre at Siam, with humour thrown in! For a hearty old-fashioned pub meal combined with a journey back in time to the war years, head to the Albion pub, one of Chester's best kept secrets, neatly tucked away between the City walls and the River Dee. Stand aside nouvelle cuisine, here you're more likely to find yourself tucking into corned beef hash with red cabbage or haggis and tatties.

Arts & Entertainment

Chester plays an important role in showcasing a lively programme of arts and entertainment events all year round both within the town and beyond. From performances at the Forum Studio Theatre and the Theatre Clwyd in nearby Mold to the colourful exhibits of the Visual Arts Festival, there's plenty to tickle the tastebuds of the culture vultures. If you're a self-confessed foodie, why not choose a time to visit Chester when culinary celebration is on the menu? The town's annual Food and Drink Festival sees the arrival of celebrity chefs for cooking demonstrations alongside an impressive showcase of local produce. If you love a treasure hunt, choose from regular Antiques and Fine Art shows organised by Penman Antique Fairs at the Racecourse, and Cadsart events at Northgate Sports Arena. And if you love live music and comedy, head for Alexanders in Rufus Court for performances of Jazz and rock music with frequent entertainment from popular tribute bands.

Hotels and Travel

From the grandeur of the Grosvenor Hotel and Crabwell Manor with their luxury spa facilities to the cosy bed and breakfast options spread across the town, Chester offers accommodation to suit all budgets and requirements. If you prefer to stay outside town in a rural setting, Frogg Manor offers a taste of the weird and wonderful. You may instead choose the superb facilities at Rowton Hall Country House Hotel, or go for the relaxing setting of The Pheasant Inn at Higher Burwardsley, for its far-reaching views across the Cheshire countryside. Chester's centre is compact and easy to navigate with an abundance of parking facilities if you do decide to stay outside town and drive in. But if you're relying on public transport, no better excuse than to enjoy the facilities at The Queen Hotel, located right opposite the railway station and just a short walk from the town centre.