Are you looking for things to do in Chester? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Sykes HQ is located in Chester, so we have first-hand knowledge of the best things to do!
Chester is one of Britain’s most beautiful heritage cities, where you can explore a plethora of historic treasures, vibrant culture and fun activities.
The city may be small, but it’s steeped in history and offers iconic attractions including Chester Racecourse, Chester Zoo and the historic Chester Rows to name a few!
Keep reading to discover the 17 best things to do in Chester…
1. Visit Chester Cathedral
First on our list of things to do in Chester is the imposing Chester Cathedral. Discover a fantastic place to visit if you enjoy architecture, medieval or contemporary history, or simply learning about community and local culture. Best of all, it’s free!
Experience the beauty of the cathedral by taking one of the Tower Tours or Ground Floor Tours.
It’s hard to beat the atmosphere inside the cathedral’s Reflectory Cafe, which is housed in a magnificent monastic eating hall dating back to the 13th century. The café offers tasty sandwiches, pastries, and large selections of cakes.
Location: St Werburgh Street, CH1 2DY
Find more information: www.chestercathedral.com
2. Take the Family to Chester Zoo
It wouldn’t be a trip to Chester without a visit to the UK’s number one zoo. Located in beautiful, award-winning zoological gardens, Chester Zoo is home to over 20,000 rare and endangered animals. Featuring over 500 animal species throughout 125 acres, you’re sure to have an adventure-filled day.
Wildlife, parks, gardens, and the family-friendly bistro bar are just a few of the highlights of the zoo. Alternatively, there are lots of picnic sites dotted around, so pack a blanket and plenty of snacks if the weather is nice!
Location: Upton-by-Chester, CH2 1EU
Find more information: www.chesterzoo.org
3. Walk along the Chester City Walls
As one of the top things to do in Chester, the Chester City Walls are the oldest and most complete walls in England. The Roman city walls are a constant reminder of Chester’s past, adding a unique charm to the city.
The walls retain the entirety of its wall circuit so you can jump along at any point, with stone steps peppered throughout the city centre.
Due to the length, you’ll need about 40 minutes to complete the circuit. You should try to arrive there early in the morning to avoid the crowds on a beautiful day. However, if you visit the walls in the late afternoon, you’ll get to see a stunning sunset.
Location: City Walls, Chester CH1 3EQ
Find more information: www.visitcheshire.com/chester-city-walls
4. Browse around the Historic Chester Rows
Another unique feature of this fascinating city is the distinctive Chester Rows. Find charming walkways with many shops running the length of the old stone and half-timbered buildings.
The Chester Rows can be traced back to the 14th century when houses and shops were built partly on top of rubble left from Roman ruins.
Each of the four main streets of the town is bounded by these rows, which meet at right angles at the market cross, following the Roman town plan. Unlike Northgate Street, where most of the galleries are on ground level, Eastgate Street, Bridge Street, and Watergate Street all have galleries on the first floor.
Location: Bridge St, Watergate St, Eastgate Street, Chester, CH1 1NG
Find more information: www.visitcheshire.com
5. Immerse yourself in the culture at The Storyhouse
Storyhouse is a multi-award-winning theatre, library, restaurant and cinema in the heart of Chester. The historic 1930s Odeon building has been renovated to include an 800-seat auditorium, a 150-seat studio theatre, a restaurant and two bars, plus a 100-seat boutique independent cinema.
Each autumn and spring, Storyhouse hosts international touring shows, with a programme of dance, opera, drama, comedy, and music. During the summer and Christmas, the theatre transforms into a thrust stage for Storyhouse’s productions.
In addition to Storyhouse’s shows, it also runs a series of festivals throughout the year, like the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre and Moonlight Flicks.
Location: Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR
Find more information: www.storyhouse.com
6. Hop on a sightseeing River Cruise
Next on our list of things to do in Chester is to see the city via the water on a riverboat cruise with the ChesterBoat company. Taking a trip down the River Dee on a boat is one of the most peaceful ways to spend time in Chester.
In addition to sightseeing and themed excursions, ChesterBoat also offers private charters for any occasion.
The city’s rich Roman, medieval, and industrial history can be seen on a half-hour City Cruise, or relax on an Iron Bridge Cruise, a two-hour journey through the Duke of Westminster’s Estate. Have your camera ready since the River Dee’s routes are full of wonderful sights and magnificent fauna!
Location: The Boating Station, Souters Lane, The Groves, CH1 1SZ
Find more information: www.chesterboat.co.uk
7. A day out at Grosvenor Park
Grosvenor Park is a 20-acre Grade II listed park, dating back to 1867, designed by Edward Kemp. Located outside the city walls, this park overlooks the Dee and is one of the best Victorian parks in the UK.
There are formal avenues lining the park with trees, monuments, and sweeping lawns bordered by attractive shrubbery. The bedding arrangements are replanted twice a year to create a beautiful and bright display. A stroll around the park invites you to see the Second Marquess of Westminster statue, Billy Hobby’s Well Community Garden, St Mary’s Nunnery Arch, the Quarry Garden and more.
Among the park’s attractions are a miniature train and a great play area, which was created by local artist Andrew Small using natural materials.
The Storyhouse brings its shows to Grosvenor Park Open Theatre every summer. With the pop of corks, picnics, and joyful audiences, Grosvenor Park is the perfect summer destination!
Location: Grosvenor Park Road, Chester, CH1 1QQ
Find more information: grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk
8. Visit the Chester Roman Amphitheatre
In the heart of Chester’s city centre lies the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain.
The two stone-built amphitheatre sites located in the city were used for entertainment and military training, indicating Chester’s importance in the Roman Empire. Like Pompeii, the first had stairs leading to the upper tiers of seats on the rear wall and a small shrine next to the north entrance. The second had spiral staircases leading to the seats.
Approximately two-fifths of the amphitheatre excavation is visible from the pavement and footpath, which have excellent views of the site below.
Location: Little St John Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1RE
Find more information: www.english-heritage.org.uk/chester-roman-ampitheatre
9. Explore Chester’s Food & Drink Scene
There are heaps of brilliant restaurants in Chester, as well as food halls and walking tours for foodies. This makes it easy to sample lots of dishes during a short city break.
There are plenty of places to dine out in Chester to suit both your palette and your budget, with an abundance of award-winning restaurants, country pubs, and tiny cafés all serving only the freshest local products.
Chester’s pastoral splendour delights the eyes as well as the taste buds of its tourists. Stop by one of the numerous tearooms and cafes for freshly brewed coffee and a slice of handmade cake. You can also enjoy some real ale in one of the many local pubs!
Enjoy fruit scones accompanied by Cheshire’s best-clotted cream and locally made strawberry jam during afternoon tea at The Chester Grosvenor, or sample quirky plant-based cuisine at Shrub restaurant. Other mouth-watering destinations for your foodie tour include The Forge, Hickories Smokehouse, Chez Jules, Upstairs at The Grill and Artezzan to name just a few!
Find more information: www.chester.com
10. Venture over to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Just outside of Chester city centre is the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Cheshire Oaks. This is the most well-known and largest designer retailer in the United Kingdom, offering a perfect day out for some retail therapy.
Spend the day shopping until you drop with over 150 premium brands to explore. In addition to amazing cafés and restaurants, a children’s park, and a tax refund office for non-EU people.
You’ll find everything from high street favourites like Nike, Adidas, Pandora, and Diesel to designer names like Coach, Kate Spade, Hugo Boss.
Location: Kinsey Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 9JJ
Find more information: www.mcarthurglen.com
11. Stroll alongside the River Dee
Another one of the best things to do in Chester is to take a stroll along the River Dee. There are 70 miles of water throughout this serene river, running through Wales and Chester.
Along the riverbank, you will find the ‘Groves,’ a paved promenade with a bandstand, cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the riverbank or take to the water in a motorboat, a rowing boat or a pedalo.
Location: The Groves, Chester, CH1 1SD
Find more information: www.visitcheshire.com/river-dee
12. Venture over to Beeston Castle
Beeston Castle, perched on a steep crag and offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, is one of the most dramatically sited mediaeval castles in England.
A trip to this historic site lets you enjoy 4,000-years of history, a recreated Bronze Age roundhouse, and a 40-acre wooded park.
You can even see all the way across England and Wales, including across the Pennines during the summer. There’s plenty of accommodation near Beeston Castle if you need somewhere to stay too!
Location: City Walls, Chester CH1 3EQ
Find more information: www.english-heritage.org.uk/beeston-castle
13. Chester Racecourse
Chester Racecourse is an iconic attraction in Chester, holding the title of the oldest racetrack still in use in England.
From May to September, Chester Racecourse is a regular feature on the social calendar, offering not only top-tier racing but also a venue to see and be seen. Don’t miss your chance to dress up for a day out at popular events such as Ladies Day, Family Fun Days, Food Festivals and so much more!
Location: The Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY
Find more information: www.chester-races.co.uk
14. Sandstone Trail
If you’re wanting to stretch your legs in the countryside, head out on The Sandstone Trail, taking you from Frodsham to Whitchurch in Cheshire and Shropshire.
The route starts at Frodsham Hill and offers stunning views of the Cheshire Plain and the Mersey Estuary, taking you over to Delamere Forest and Blakemere Moss.
Continue south from Delamere to Beeston Castle in Tarporley. Then comes Peckforton Castle, a rural home designed in the form of a medieval castle.
Location: Frodsham to Whitchurch
Find more information: www.sandstonetrail.co.uk
15. Escape Room
For a quirky thing to do in Chester, try Escapism, a real-life escape room! You’ll be trapped in a room for 60 minutes and given clues and riddles to answer in order to escape.
Visit here to ignite your creativity and artistically challenge your intellect with your family and friends! This is the perfect Chester thing to do with the kids, or on a rainy day.
Location: 1 Cestria Building, George Street, CH1 3ER
Find more information: www.escapismchester.co.uk
16. Watergate Street Gallery
The Watergate Street Gallery opened in 1992 with the goal of reaching as many people as possible with new, fresh, distinctive, and affordable art.
Local and national artists, as well as artists from across the world, contribute to the collection. You can spend an afternoon here immersing yourself in local culture and browsing a range of original paintings, etchings, screenprints, signed limited editions, and exclusive prints.
Location: 62 Watergate Street, CH1 2LA
Find more information: Visit Cheshire
17. Treat yourself to a luxurious break at Edgar House
Last but certainly not least on our list of things to do in Chester is this incredible holiday home! Edgar House is a stunning property in the heart of Chester, perched above the historic Roman Walls and overlooking the gorgeous River Dee.
The property is in a great position, close to several pubs, restaurants, cafés, shops, and the renowned racecourse and Grosvenor Park, making it ideal for a self-catering holiday for a big family of 16.
A stay here hosts all the luxuries to make you comfortable on an exciting getaway. Discover impressive features and rooms including seven bedrooms comprising a mix of super-king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms, balconies and so much more.
There’s even a cinema room, games room, a snug, a living space with an open fire and 10 parking spaces for all your guests!
Find more information here: Edgar House (Ref. 1071530)
Are you inspired by our things to do in Chester guide? Browse through this stunning range of cottages in Chester before planning your getaway with our UK Travel Guide for fantastic holiday inspiration. For more things to do in the county, be sure to check out this guide covering the best pub walks in Cheshire.
Image credits: Rosser1954 – (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jeff Buck – (CC BY-SA 2.0), John H Darch – (CC BY-SA 2.0), Julia Chandler – (CC BY 2.0); Jeff Buck – (CC BY-SA 2.0)