- Chester holds the title of the oldest racecourse in Britain, with horse racing documented at the Roodee since 1539.
- The city's 'Rows' are unique in the world, featuring continuous covered walkways at the first-floor level that date back to the 13th century.
- Chester was founded as a major Roman fortress, Deva Victrix, in 79 AD and remains one of the best-preserved walled cities in the country.
- The Eastgate Clock is officially the second most photographed clock in the United Kingdom, eclipsed only by Big Ben.
- Chester's city walls are the oldest, longest, and most complete defensive walls in Britain.
About Chester
Chester is a cathedral city in Cheshire, England, uniquely defined by its remarkably preserved Roman walls and distinctive two-tiered medieval shopping galleries known as The Rows. Visitors can traverse the complete circuit of the ancient Chester City Walls or view the ruins of the Chester Roman Amphitheatre, which once hosted gladiatorial combat. The cityscape is anchored by the iconic Eastgate Clock and the grand Chester Cathedral, reflecting over two millennia of history. For modern cultural engagement, the Storyhouse provides a theatre and library hub, while the outskirts host the extensive conservation efforts at Chester Zoo.
Highlights of Chester
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Zoos
It is one of the world's leading conservation zoos, housing thousands of animals in extensive, naturalistic enclosures.
Historical places
You can walk the entire circuit of the medieval and Roman-era fortifications for panoramic views of the city.
Historical places
This ornate landmark marks the original main entrance to the Roman fortress of Deva Victrix.
Temples
The building showcases a blend of architectural styles from Norman to Perpendicular Gothic, featuring intricate wood-carved choir stalls.
Historical places
This site represents the largest stone-built Roman military amphitheatre discovered in Britain.
Venues
Housed in a repurposed Art Deco cinema, this facility integrates a library, theatre, and cinema into a single community space.
Parks
These gardens contain genuine Roman-era masonry and hypocaust remains situated along the River Dee.
Places of interest
This iron suspension bridge offers a scenic pedestrian crossing over the River Dee.
Top things to do in Chester
The 93 highest-rated places in Chester, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
Chester Zoo is the UK's most visited zoo, spanning 128 acres of zoological gardens and conservation habitats. It houses...
2
Temples
Chester Cathedral is a former Benedictine abbey church that evolved into the seat of the Bishop of Chester in 1541. Its...
3
Places of interest
The Ice Cream Farm in Cheshire is a family-oriented attraction centered around one of the world's largest ice cream parl...
4
Parks
Wepre Park is a 160-acre public green space in Connah's Quay featuring the 13th-century Ewloe Castle ruins. The park's t...
5
Amusement parks
6
Historical places
7
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Venues
9
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Places of interest
12
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Historical places
14
Parks
15
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Places of interest
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Historical places
19
Parks
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Temples
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Museums
26
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Historical places
29
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30
Temples
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Chester on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Chester
May to September, as the mild weather is ideal for walking the city walls and exploring outdoor historical sites.
2-3 days to fully explore the historical center and dedicate a full day to the zoo.
The city center is compact and highly walkable, with pedestrianized areas; regional transport is supported by a local bus network.
Stay within the city walls to be within walking distance of major historical landmarks and the main retail areas.
Mid-range; while many historical sites are free or low-cost to view from the outside, popular attractions and central accommodation carry standard UK tourist pricing.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 93 curated attractions in and around Chester, ranked by traveller ratings.
Chester Zoo is the highest-rated place to visit in Chester right now.
The largest category is temples, with 44 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
