Find your Thrill

Day 1: Race Day Glamour

Morning to Afternoon – Place Your Bets at Chester Races

There are few better ways to spend a day in Chester than at the races. Chester Racecourse is the oldest in the country, beautifully set within the city walls, and as renowned for its atmosphere as it is for the racing itself. Whether you're in the grandstand, a private box, or settled on the lawn with a glass of something cold, the energy here is infectious. Dress up, soak it all in, and enjoy the people-watching as much as the sport.

Evening – Dinner with Flair

After a day at the races, the mood calls for something relaxed and convivial. Porta on Northgate Street is a Chester institution: a Michelin-recognised tapas bar that takes its cues from the smallest, most characterful bars of Barcelona and Madrid. Everything is made in-house, the atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, and there is no better way to graze your way through an evening. No bookings, walk-ins only.

Alternatively, Salt House Tapas on Bridge Street brings modern, seasonal small plates and a buzzing atmosphere to one of Chester's most characterful streets. Head chef Laszlo Nagy holds a Green Michelin Star and two AA rosettes, and the menu shows it. Either way, order plenty and take your time.

Day 2: On the Water, Up in the Air, and Into the Dark

Morning: Paddle the Dee

Start the day on the water. Paddle the Dee offers guided paddleboarding and kayaking sessions on the River Dee, taking you past Chester Meadows, the Roman city walls, and the elegant riverside promenade. Whether you're a confident boarder or a complete beginner, it's a wonderfully different way to see the city, with a few laughs thrown in along the way.

Lunch: Rooftop Social Club

Head up to Chester's most unexpected lunch spot. Perched above Pepper Street car park on the eighth and ninth floors, Rooftop Social Club serves independent street food, seasonal cocktails, and sweeping city views from a fully covered, open-air terrace. Order a drink, settle in, and watch the city go about its business far below.

Afternoon: Chester Cathedral Tower Tour or Ghost Tour

Two very different ways to spend an afternoon, both equally memorable. Climb the 216 steps of Chester Cathedral's award-winning Tower Tour, passing through secret behind-the-scenes spaces that have been inaccessible to the public for nearly a thousand years, before emerging 125 feet above the city with views across one city, two countries, and five counties.

Or, if you prefer your thrills after dark, Chester Ghost Tours has been leading visitors through the city's haunted history for over 40 years. Chester has seen Roman invasion, plague, civil war, and public execution: the stories are genuinely extraordinary, and the cobbled streets at night provide the perfect backdrop.

Dinner: End the Weekend Well

Round off two brilliant days with dinner somewhere worth remembering. Maray on Northgate Street is one of Chester's most exciting recent arrivals: an award-winning Middle Eastern and Mediterranean small plates restaurant inspired by the vibrant Marais district of Paris. Order the Disco Cauliflower, the famous falafel, and work your way through the seasonal menu over a glass of something interesting from their thoughtfully chosen wine list.

Or, for a more classic evening out, The Ivy Chester Brasserie on Newgate Street brings the iconic Ivy charm to the heart of the city with modern British cuisine, beautifully crafted cocktails, and a sunlit terrace made for a long, unhurried dinner. Effortlessly special without ever feeling formal, it's a fitting way to close out a very good weekend.

Where to Stay – Rest in Style

Rest your head in one of Chester’s welcoming hotels, all within easy reach of the action:

Crowne Plaza Chester – A contemporary city centre hotel boasting 160 stylish rooms, an indoor heated pool, spa and fitness facilities, plus an on‑site restaurant and private parking, making it a perfect base for both business and leisure travellers

DoubleTree by Hilton (Chester) – A luxurious retreat just outside the city centre, with a spa and beautiful grounds.

Oddfellows - A beautifully restored Georgian townhouse on Lower Bridge Street where 18 utterly individual boutique rooms, a cocktail bar, a secret garden, and a gloriously whimsical atmosphere combine to make it one of the most memorable places to stay in Chester.

From race day glamour to riverside adventures, fine food to ghostly tales, Chester is the ultimate playground for adults ready to escape the ordinary.

Book your train tickets here