Half-timbered buildings and a magnificent Gothic cathedral give Chester City Centre a storybook feel. Millennia-old city walls and an enormous Roman amphitheatre recall the city’s ancient past, while trendy cafes, bistros and boutiques bring Chester into the 21st century.
Things to do in Chester City Centre
Ancient sandstone walls encircle Chester City Centre. The walls were built in the 1st century A.D. and are a legacy of the city’s Roman roots. A three-kilometre-long path skirts the base of the walls and takes you past landmarks like the impressive Eastgate and the Wishing Steps. According to local legend, your wishes will come true if you hold your breath and run up and down the steps! Stop for a drink at the Bear & Billet, a half-timbered pub that’s been pouring pints since the 1600s.
From gourmet chocolates and loose-leaf tea to designer jewellery and homewares, the Rows is the city’s signature shopping destination. The half-timbered Tudor buildings have housed shops for hundreds of years. In addition to ground-level businesses set beneath covered arcades, the tiered buildings feature a second row of retailers accessed by staircases.
Chester Cathedral soars over the city centre and cradles more than 1,000 years of history. Sunlight floods through the stained-glass windows and illuminates the intricately carved choir stalls. Join a guided tour to learn more about the cathedral and climb the belltower, where you’ll get panoramic views over Chester City Centre.
The city centre offers easy access to iconic British attractions like Chester Zoo. It’s one of the most visited attractions in the country and home to thousands of animals from around the world. See Asian elephants, African lions, Caribbean flamingos, Sumatran orangutans and more.
Getting around Chester City Centre
Chester City Centre is compact and easy to get around on foot. The city is in north-west England, a 30-minute drive from Liverpool and one hour from Manchester. Chester Train Station is a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the city centre. Manchester Airport is a 40-minute drive away.