Your Summer break in Chester

Chester is alive with things to do every day of the week. From world-class attractions and events to amazing accommodation and some of the best food in the country there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy a break to our historic city. And this summer could be the perfect time to do so. You can save on accommodation with a range of hotel deals, packages and offers as well as discounted room rates. There’s plenty to explore and you can enjoy the added perks of avoiding the crowds. And if you’re looking to enjoy some of Chester’s culinary delights, rest assured there’s a whole host of unmissable food and drink offers during the week. In Need of some inspiration? We’ve put together some great ideas for your Chester summer break.

Places to Stay
 

There are some truly unmissable hotel deals so you can enjoy some luxurious lodgings whilst still saving. Make sure to check our Summer Accommodation Offers page, and here are a few ideas:

The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
 

Nestled a short distance away from the city centre in Pulford, the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa offers guests luxurious bedrooms with modern décor, excellent spa facilities at their on-site spa, Spa by Kasia, alongside dinning at their two restaurants. There are plenty of deals and packages available to choose from tailored to your stay with everything from luxurious champagne-filled bundles to relaxing spa stays. This summer guests can save with the Summer Escape package which starts from just £139 per room and includes an overnight stay, breakfast and dinner, as well as use of the leisure facilities. Perfect for relaxing after a day exploring Chester.

Leonardo Hotel
 

Right in the heart of the city on Pepper Street with its range of bars and restaurants there’s Leonardo Hotel. With a wide range of rooms available with contemporary décor, a luxurious bar and restaurant on site, and a central location Leonardo Hotel is a great option for those exploring the city. Mid-week is a perfect time to visit as guests can save 20% on the best available room rate Monday-Friday.

Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa
 

Nestled on 8 acres of gardens and pastureland just outside the city, Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa is a luxury Georgian manor with a lot of charm. The hotel and spa is modern while retaining its historic appeal and guests can enjoy dining on site, a range of rooms and excellent spa and leisure facilities. Why not make your break a spa stay with by booking a spa day at Rowton Hall? What’s more, this summer guests can enjoy the Great British Summer package which includes bed and breakfast starting at just £99 per room for a one night stay midweek. You can also save more as you stay longer with added discounts for each night you stay.

Need more inspiration? See more accommodation deals here

Why not enjoy a spa break? See spa offers here
 

Things to Do

With all that’s going on in Chester every day you may be in need of some inspiration on just what to do on your midweek break. From discounted and superb value entry to completely free things to do in Chester we’ve put a few ideas together:

Storyhouse Outdoors
 

Returning for the summer, Storyouse’s ever-popular Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre brings a new life to the already lovely Grosvenor Park. And this year there’s more than theatre going on. Storyhouse Outdoors is a programme of events including live music, comedy, theatre and more all based at the Open Air Theatre site. They’ve installed a brand new tipi with beerhall tables to create a real festival atmosphere. You can enjoy live acoustic sessions from local and national talents as well as indulge in craft beer, wood-fired pizza and cocktails. Tickets for the performances start at just £5, and you can just drop in to the festival village to enjoy some of the treats on offer.

City Sightseeing & ChesterBoat
 

If you’re wanting to get acclimated with the city there are a number of ways to do so. From walking tours courtesy of The Chester Tour to Roman and Medieval Tours, you can explore a lot of the city and its past. You can also experience the city via City Sightseeing’s open top tour buses. With stops throughout the city, you can hop on and off, enjoy the sights and learn about the history of the city. You can also combine your open top bus tour with a cruise with ChesterBoat. On one of ChesterBoat’s fleet of cruisers you can enjoy a serene journey up the River Dee, taking in Chester’s architecture and surrounding scenes. Combined bus and boat tickets are £17 for adults with concession rates available. You can book online or get your tickets on the day at the Chester Visitor Information Centre at the Town Hall on Northgate Street.

Chester Cathedral
 

A great option for exploring midweek is Chester’s Medieval marvel – the Cathedral. The Cathedral has a fascinating history with its roots in the 11^th century, and the architecture is equally as stunning. Visitors can explore the Cathedral on their own or book a guided tour completely free. Ground floor tours run Monday-Saturday at 11am and 2pm. You can also explore the cathedral at height, climbing the tower via the historic walkways and stairs. At the top you’ll find a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding area including the Cheshire plain and in to the North Welsh hills. Tours take place at 11am and 3pm Monday - Thursday, and 11am, 1pm and 3pm Fridays and Saturdays with tickets just £10 for adults.

Discover the Rows
 

Another option for exploring the city is via the Discover the Rows audio and mobile walking trail. You may be wondering about these two tiered black and white timbered structures and with this trail you can find out some fascinating history about them whilst taking a circular route through Chester’s main thoroughfares. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of generations past – with the Rows being historic trading stalls and now being home to some of Chester’s best independent gems. The walking and audio tour is completely free and can be found here.

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
 

Midweek is a perfect time to visit Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet and avoid the busier weekends. The open air shopping centre is home to over 140 designer and premium brands, offering up to 60% off RRP. Visitors can enjoy free parking, handsfree shopping and extended opening hours. There are some exciting new facilities including a brand new play area and Under the Oak festival, including a rooftop terrace just in time for the summer months, ready to unwind with a cocktail and street food.

Busybus Sightseeing Tours
 

If you’re wanting to go further afield, Busybus is a great option. These fully guided bus tours take you conveniently from Chester station to destinations like the Lake District, Yorkshire and North Wales. You can certainly pack in a lot of exploring on a sightseeing tour with Busybus – each tailored trip includes a whole host of famous sights from the likes of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle in North Wales, Grasmere and Ambleside in the Lakes, and the Ribblehead Viaduct and Hardraw Force in Yorkshire. These whole-day excursions are just £69 for adults, meaning a lot of sights for your money.  

Food & Drink
 

Chester is renowned for its array of fantastic dining, from Michelin awarded tasting menus to sumptuous street food. By visiting midweek you can enjoy a range of deals and offers to save without sacrificing on quality.

La Brasserie at The Chester Grosvenor
 

A staple of Chester’s food scene, La Brasserie is a vibrant 2 AA Rosette restaurant that prepares beautiful dishes using flavours and ingredients from home and abroad. Visitors can enjoy two courses from the Early Dining Menu for just £25 per person between 5.00pm and 7pm Monday to Thursday.

Chez Jules
 

French cuisine par excellence is served at Chez Jules – one of Chester’s oldest independent restaurants. Make sure to visit on Tuesdays, where you can enjoy two courses from the menu du jour alongside a bottle of house red or white each for just £27.50.

Burger Shed 41
 

Fancy locally sourced brisket & skirt burgers alongside the best hot dogs, milk shakes and craft beers? At Burger Shed 41 on Bridge Street you can enjoy 2-for-1 burgers every Wednesday.

Ring O Bells, Christleton
 

Just outside the city centre you can find the Ring O Bells, a superb gastropub with a diverse menu to match. Every Tuesday is Tues-yay, meaning 50% off food.

Upstairs at the Grill
 

If you want some of the finest steaks in Chester, Upstairs at the Grill offers just that. Between 12 and 4:30 Monday to Saturday, guests can order two courses for £25 or three courses for £30 from the lunch menu.

Cocktails
 

There are many great spots in Chester to enjoy an expertly mixed cocktail. Take for example Duttons on Godstall Lane. There’s an extensive cocktail menu, plus two classic cocktails are just £12 from 5-8pm Monday-Friday. Or why not try one or two of the fantastic seasonal cocktails from BarLounge on Watergate Street. There’s a splendid outdoor terrace, perfect for whiling away a summer’s evening.

Why not travel by rail and save?
 

You can also save on travel by visiting Chester & Cheshire midweek. Off-peak train fares with Avanti and Northern will save on travel and spare the stresses of driving. Some example fares include:

London Euston – Chester from £60.20 return per person with Avanti West Coast

Manchester Picadilly – Chester from £12.90 per person return with Northern

Leeds – Chester from £20.50 per person return with Northern

Birmingham New Street – Chester from £30 per person return with Transport for Wales