24 Hours in Chester

Somewhere to stay…

Ok, so before you begin your 24 hours in Chester, you should find the perfect place to call home away from home, and luckily in Chester you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to places to stay. We’ve got urban boutiques like Oddfellows, city centre luxury from the likes of The Chester Grosvenor, The Crowne Plaza and The Queen; countryside retreats like Doubletree by Hilton and The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa; as well as a whole host of gorgeous self-catering providers. Whatever your style and whether you want to be amongst it all in the centre, or a little way out in the glorious Cheshire countryside, you’ll be able to find the perfect place to stay.

Start as you mean to go on

After waking up in your Chester lodgings you’ll want to start with a hearty breakfast, and if you don’t decide to take what’s on offer at your chosen hotel, never fear as you’re never far away from something good to eat in Chester. Why not try Jaunty Goat for some of the finest coffee and café cuisine around, complete with a full vegan location. Or you could venture into the historic Rows to find The Flower Cup – Chester’s “botanical coffee shop” serving sumptuous coffee, cake, brunch and even flowers. Or for a traditional Full English, Marmalade is a true independent café doing café culture to its finest.

After filling your boots for breakfast, make sure to say hello at the Visitor Information Centre where the thoroughly lovely team can help with maps, guides, tickets and just about everything you need to know. At this point you may want to familiarise yourself with the city, and there are plenty of ways to start your day with a fascinating tour. There’s The Chester Tour, where experienced blue badge guides will take you on a journey across Chester’s rich history. Then there’s Chester’s famous Roman Tours, where your very own Centurion will take you on a trip through Chester’s storied Roman past. Why not experience Chester from atop the open top bus via City Sightseeing – you can even combine your trip with a cruise up the Dee with ChesterBoat – perfect especially on summer days.

No trip to Chester would be complete without experiencing the city’s walls – the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. You’re never far from a way on to or off the walls as there are access points throughout the city. Walking the roughly 2-mile circuit is a great way to take in out magnificent city and also a great way to get around.

Afternoon Delights

By now you’ve probably worked up an appetite, and luckily for you there’s no shortage of places to lunch in Chester. Take a stroll down any of these cobbled streets and you’ll find a superb assortment of just about every cuisine around, now with many restaurants offering al fresco dining. Try pizza (and maybe even a cannoli!) courtesy of Urbano32, or some of the Thai street food in town from Thai Baan. Perhaps you’re after some plant-based delights? Why not try Shrub – Chester’s latest vegan eatery set amongst the beautiful Rows. Or you can step into Chester’s Market hall to find a great range of independent eats from sublime seafood and pasta to burritos and delicious pastries. Once again, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the quality and range of options.

Fully sated after lunch, it’s time to hit the shops! And there’s a lot to keep you going. With everything from the biggest brands to quirky independents, boutiques and galleries it’s little wonder Chester is one of the best and most unique places to shop in the UK. Make sure to carry on in the footsteps of Chester’s past by exploring the 700-year old Medieval Rows. These two-tiered walkways are more than just a convenient way to avoid the inclement weather. These really are the independent heart of the city, with a stunning range of truly unique shops set amongst some of the oldest structures in Chester, the Rows are a must visit.

If shopping’s not your bag, you may want to explore Chester a little further. We recommend Chester’s famous Cathedral, where you can spend some time exploring this Medieval marvel in all its splendour. And if you’re not already a Chester expert by now, visit the Grosvenor Museum to indulge your curiosity. The Grosvenor Museum is full of surprises which tell the stories of Cheshire from pre-history to the 20th century alongside a regular rotation of temporary exhibitions. If you’re with the young ones, take a trip to the Deva Roman Experience. This is a twist on your usual museum, with fully interactive displays where you can experience the sights, sounds and even smells of Roman life in Chester. Or for something a little gorier, why not visit Sick to Death - Chester’s newest interactive history attraction where you can get hands on with the fascinating and macabre history of medicine in the city.

Time for a night on the town!

After a day of exploring what Chester has to offer, it’s time to spruce yourself up and get ready for a night on the town! Here in Chester we’re renowned for our range of world class restaurants with a good few mentions in the Michelin Guide. With so much to choose from we thought we’d give you a hand. Chef’s Table is not to be missed; this independent boutique restaurant has a regularly changing seasonal menu bolstered by the finest local produce. For some of the best grills in the city, Opera Grill is a must. Set in an unmissable neoclassical façade there’s also a gorgeous terrace for al fresco dining.

After dinner, why not take an evening promenade down the River Dee and really take in the beauty Chester has to offer (perhaps you could even combine this with a little dessert!). Or why not take in Chester’s cultural scene with a night at the theatre courtesy of Storyhouse.

Not ready to say good night just yet? Don’t worry, Chester is full of unique night time spots to enjoy a cocktail or two. Experience the vintage chic of Liquor and Co. with a huge selection of cocktails to whet the whistle. Or there’s Palm – Chester’s most Instagrammable bar serving a whole host of quality and colourful cocktails. Or if cocktails aren’t your thing, Chester’s brilliant and often historic pubs will be a welcome treat. Why not visit the Pied Bull or Bear and Billet for a nice pint of locally brewed ale? There’s enough to keep anyone going here and hopefully after a full day in Chester you’ll be ready to return to your lodgings full of new memories.

Won’t you stay another day…

We’ve really only scratched the surface and haven’t even mentioned some full day activities like Chester Zoo, Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet and a whole host of other Cheshire attractions, restaurants, beauty spots and more. So maybe after 24 hours in Chester you can stay another day (or two!).