Chester, or Deva Victrix, is the county town of Cheshire and dates back to Roman times. The River Dee runs through it, and just west of town is the Welsh border, and the start of the Welsh coastal path, despite being 5 miles from the actual coast! The Visitor Information Centre is in Northgate Street.
Best known for....
Chester Zoo, which has an excellent reputation for responsible wildlife care.
The Rows, which are timber framed galleried arcades of shops in the town centre.
The Cathedral with it's beautifully decorated choir, the Eastgate Clock, and the Racecourse!
Worth seeking out...
In town, the 2 mile city wall walk is a good way to explore the history, as are both the Grosvenor, and Cheshire Military Museum. In the market, the Chester in Lego display is well worth a look, and is regularly added to.
Grosvenor Park is a lovely space close to the centre, with popular walks, playparks and miniature railway!
Further afield, to the north is RSPB Burton Mere near Neston. Lovely walks and wildlife, especially birds!
Nearby is Ellesmere Port and the excellent National Waterways Museum. Twenty miles east of this museum, near Northwich, is the wonderful Anderton boat lift operated by the Canal and River Trust on the Trent and Mersey Canal. We loved this, and you could combine it with the interesting Lion Salt works tour.. yes you did read that right, open on certain days of the week.
Pushing the distance limit even further, just beyond Northwich is Arley Hall, a stately home with super gardens, and the ancestral seat of my family name!
Northeast of Chester are Marley Knoll Gardens, and Abbeywood gardens, both open seasonally. Delamere Forest has walking and cycle trails, and a Go Ape centre.
East of Chester are some pretty villages including Christleton and Tarporley. Beeston castle (EH) is close to Tarporley, as are delightful Mount Pleasant Gardens (RHS) and sculpture walk.
Bunbury village has a lovely working mill, an interesting church, and, one mile to the north, two picturesque staircase locks on the Shropshire Union Canal.
To the Southwest of Chester, a 20 minute drive will take you to Erdigg, a fascinating National Trust House full of treasures, with lovely gardens. Close by is Nant Mill Country Park with lovely walks and a waterfall.
Finally, go west into Wales to see the lovely scenery of the Clwydian hills running down the borderlands.
Walking and Nature
There are opportunities for long and short walks, especially along the rivers and canals Some have been mentioned above, but there is a good circular walk linking Beeston castle and Peckforton.
In Eccleston you can walk along the River Dee, and park in Christleton village to walk on the Shropshire Union Canal.
RSPB Burton Mere is lovely - see above.
Information!
Chester Visitor Information. 01244 405340
Lots of parking options. In Chester there is a very large car park by the River called Little Roodee with parking for Campervans and motorhomes. At the time of writing, they could pay and stay overnight, which is what we did.
Places to eat
Lots of great places to eat, so these are just our favourites and recommendations of friends! As usual, please check opening times, prices and current reviews as things can change fast!
Chester: Nice Bites- snacks; Meltdown - toasties; Hypha - vegetarian; Marmalade; Cornichon at the Gunnery; Picanha Steakhouse
Northwich: Poppy Rose Tea Room; The Bear, drinks and light meals.
Tarporley - in and around: Old Fire Station Coffee Shop; Alvanley Arms, Colebrook; The Inn at Huxley; Lockgate Coffee House, Beeston Brook - on canal. The Dysart Arms
Ellesmere Port: Chiquito, Mexican;
Plentiful accommodation of all types in the area. Campers are well served too, and may be able to stay overnight on Little Roodee Carpark by the River in Chester. Check current restrictions.
We are campervan owners ourselves, and we ask you, please, if you visit the area in a campervan or motorhome, please only dispose of your rubbish, grey waste and toilet waste in proper, designated facilities. Doing anything else gets all campers a bad name, and will only result in it becoming harder for all of us to access lovely places Leave only Footprints!
Have fun. Anne X