Chester - Our City of Culture

Our stunning city has culture nestled in every nook and cranny. Discover our highlights for your next visit to the historic city of Chester!

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre 

One of the country’s best-loved of its kind, the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, provides live summertime entertainment, courtesy of Storyhouse, in the heart of the picturesque park. Previous professional productions include Much Ado About Nothing (2018), Henry V (2019), and The Comedy of Errors (2020). 2021’s has yet to be decided, but regardless of whether it is a comedy or a tragedy, you can count on a quality couple of hours at the theatre in the fantastic British outdoors! Learn more by visiting their website here.

Grosvenor Museum

Located in the centre of Chester, the Grosvenor museum houses stunning collections exploring the city’s past, specifically its art and silver heritage, Roman occupation, and natural history. To the rear of the museum is 20 Castle Street, its Period House which was built around 1680 and which boasts the iconic barley sugar bannisters of the period. What’s more? The museum is brought alive throughout the year through a vibrant events calendar. Whilst general admission to the museum is free, a £3 donation per person is recommended for its upkeep. Learn more here.

Roman Amphitheatre

Once used for entertainment and military training, the Roman’s largest amphitheatre is now a major tourism attraction in the City of Chester. It is proposed to have been built in approximately 1AD, although was in and out of use throughout its turbulent past. It was finally uncovered and excavated by archaeologists in the mid-1900s. Entry to the Amphitheatre is completely free, and it is open at all reasonable times. For more Roman heritage, why not visit the adjacent Roman Garden, a recreation of what would have stood in its place in the past. Read more here. 

Storyhouse

Returning to more-familiar times, Chester’s multi-purpose arts hub, Storyhouse, first opened its doors in 2017, sitting on the site of the former Odeon cinema. It boasts an extensive library, a professional theatre, and a cinema, alongside an Eastern-European-inspired restaurant and bar, and the longest opening hours of any UK library. The mix is so successful that it has won countless accolades, including being the Overall Winner of The Guardian’s Public Service Awards. Click here to view upcoming entertainment, and to enjoy the modern side of the city.

Chester Market

Winner of the Best Small Indoor Market at the Great British Market Awards 2020, Chester Market is a must-see on any cultural visitor’s itinerary. With over 30 unique independents with wares ranging from books, anime merchandise, and jewellery, as well as eateries with cuisines from all corners of the world such as Death by Tacos, Jeffro’s Wingz an Tingz, and Pastry Pédaleur. The market also features both indoor and outdoor dining areas. See all of the retailers here.

Chester Rows

Nobody knows why the Chester Rows were built as such, but what is for certain is that they are the only ones of their kind in the world. They are today home to an exclusive shopping experience, featuring countless independents such as Pictura Studios and Shrub. Why not dedicate a few hours on your Chester itinerary to exploring the Chester Rows in all of their glory?

Chester Racecourse

Chester Racecourse is the oldest of its kind in operation in the world and, curiously, sees horses running anti-clockwise! Whilst the racecourse itself is a spectacle, particularly during the highly-anticipated Racing Season, its onsite restaurants of ‘The White Horse’, ‘1539’, and its glamourous new addition ‘Parade’ are certainly worth visiting, providing luxurious indulgencies for all. The racecourse used to be a Roman port which explains its unique architecture and the curious cross in its centre. Why not visit explore for yourself? Book tickets for fixtures here.

Chester City Walls

The Chester City Walls are the oldest, longest and most complete of their kind in Britain, with parts spanning back 2000 years to the Roman period. Taking between 40 and 60 minutes to walk, they give you panoramic views of the whole city, taking you past the scenic Groves and River Dee, the iconic Racecourse, and the majestic Cathedral to name a few. Did you know that they are fully accessible for wheelchairs/prams too? No need to book or pay anything on entry – just turn up and enjoy!

We hope you enjoyed reading about our city’s cultural highlights, and that you plan to visit these when it is once again safe to do so! Please tag us in any images from your visit using #YourCheshire, we’d love to see them!