A city, a story

Explore history and heritage this winter...

Think of Chester and the first thing that may come to mind is its history. In this city, you’re never far from remnants of Britain’s storied past and you don’t have to look very far to find fascinating evidence of just about every period of our nation’s history. From the Roman foundations of the city’s walls, the medieval Rows and Cathedral, to the Tudor racecourse and black and white facades, and Victorian Railway Station, Chester is proud of its heritage and visitors will marvel at the range of fascinating stories the city holds. So, whatever your historic interest, Chester has it all. You can delve deeper into the abundant history of Chester through a range of history and heritage experiences. From touring the city with a Roman Centurion to exploring the history of medicine and plague in the city, these experiences will make your city break truly historic. 

Climb a Medieval Marvel 
 

Visitors to Chester’s famous Cathedral can experience it from a whole new perspective with the Tower Tour. On this hour-long tour you’ll discover 1000 years of history as you climb the 216 steps to the very top of the tower at 125 feet above ground. You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the city and well beyond from the top of the tower. 

Discover the Romans like never before 
 

Newly reopened after some major improvements, the Deva Roman Discovery Centre is back to bring Chester’s Roman past to life. Using a fusion of ancient archaeological remains and cutting-edge technology you can see what life was like in the fortress of Deva Victrix yourself.  

Chester was deemed by Professor Alice Roberts as the “Most Roman” city in the UK – and for good reason. You can still see the Roman foundations of the city’s walls, it’s home to the largest amphitheatre in the UK, and evidence of the Roman fort can be found in all types of places, including in some of the shops. With Roman Tours you will be guided by a friendly, knowledgeable and very authentic Roman Centurion through Chester’s infamous Roman past. This is a unique experience where you’ll learn a lot and see the city in a whole new light, with your guide demystifying the Roman remains in the city. Chester is famous for these Roman tours and it’s a great chance to grab a selfie with a real Roman!

Take a guided tour through Chester’s Past 
 

You may wander Chester’s historic streets and wonder just what stories they hold. Luckily there are a wide range of guided tours that will bring these stories to life. The Chester Tour takes you through key moments in the city’s 2000-year history and the new Women of Chester Tour tells the stories of the women who built, shaped and protected the city. 

Perhaps a little less well known, but still fascinating is Chester’s Medieval history. One of the most obvious examples of this period are the city’s Rows – the two-tiered walkways which today house shops, bars cafes and restaurants. With a Medieval Tour you’ll be escorted around Chester by an authentic medieval soldier and learn about what life was like in the city in and around the year 1403, highlighting significant events of the time. You’ll explore landmarks like the city walls, the Rows, the Roman amphitheatre (you will be surprised what it was used for in the medieval period), Chester’s first Cathedral St. John’s and will finish at the River Dee looking over to Handbridge. The is great opportunity to experience Chester’s medieval past with a truly unique guide! 

With all the centuries of history within these city walls, there are bound to be a few ghosts. Chester is notoriously haunted and a great way to spend a night in the city is by exploring some of the most haunted spots with a friendly and knowledgeable guide to tell some of the ghoulish tales of some of the city’s most infamous ghosts and the history surrounding them. Leaving at 7:30pm from the Visitor Information Centre on Fridays and Saturdays, Chester’s Ghost Tours are always popular and can be both a good laugh, or something a little spookier.

Sick to Death

On the historic Rows and within the 16th Century St Michael’s Church you’ll find Sick to Death – one of Chester’s latest historical attractions with some quirky ways to explore the history of medicine in the city. With interactive exhibitions and displays you can explore Chester’s dark past. Why not try performing your own autopsy, learn about the plague and plague doctors in Chester, or enter Diagnosis Alley – where you’ll have to avoid deadly diseases. This is history come to life in some truly weird and wonderful (and at times a little gross) ways – definitely not to be missed if you’re a fan of the macabre side of history! 

ChesterBoat

A firm favourite for visitors to the city, ChesterBoat offers a unique way to explore the city. Leaving from the promenade of the river Dee, you can set sail on a serene sightseeing cruise down the river and take in some of the best views of the city and surrounding landscape. You can enjoy daily half-hour cruises onboard one of ChesterBoat’s fleet of cushy liners or on selected dates take the leisurely two-hour Iron Bridge cruise, where you’ll sail even farther and explore more of the stunning surroundings that Chester has to offer. The boats all have a fully stocked bar, so you can sit back and relax with a range of beers, wines, fizz and spirits as you take in the views. There are also a number of themed cruises which you can also book with us. There are party nights, where you can expect music and food as you sail down the Dee; or chilli and quiz nights – perfect for pub quiz fans with a competitive streak. And Fridays, why not enjoy your chippy tea onboard a two-hour cruise (with a fully stocked bar of course), it could be a perfect quirky date night. ChesterBoat is a great way to explore the city and relax, or party, so make sure to book online on our site to secure your place.

Save on travel

You can also save on train travel and save the stresses of driving. Transport for Wales operate regular services to Chester from Cardiff, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and more, and you can save by booking direct and in advance.