North West England
Date ideas in Chester
Updated
Chester is a small city with a lot of history packed inside its walls: Roman ruins, black-and-white timber buildings, a medieval cathedral and the two-tier shopping galleries of the Rows. The River Dee curves round one side with boats, a bandstand and a riverside park, and the racecourse sits right under the walls. These are our picks, from free strolls to a special dinner, with plenty to do indoors when it rains.
Our picks in Chester
Chester City Walls
Climb up at any of the gates; the Eastgate Clock is an easy start
Address: Eastgate Clock, Eastgate Street, Chester CH1 1ES- Outdoors
- Free
Walk the full circuit of the most complete city walls in Britain, about two miles of Roman and medieval stone with views over the racecourse, the river and the cathedral.
Why it's a good date: Free, open all year and the best way to see the whole city in an hour or so. Start at the Eastgate Clock, go clockwise, and stop for a drink at the river on the way round.
Photo: Bill Harrison, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Browse the covered first-floor galleries that run above the shops on Chester's four main streets, a medieval layout you won't find anywhere else.
Why it's a good date: A dry way to window-shop even when it's pouring, with little cafés and independent shops tucked along the upper level. Pick a small present for each other and meet back at the Cross.
Photo: Christopher Hilton, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Chester Cathedral
St Werburgh Street, city centre
Address: St Werburgh Street, Chester CH1 2DY- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Step inside the red sandstone cathedral, built on the site of a Saxon abbey, with carved medieval choir stalls and a peaceful vaulted cloister.
Why it's a good date: Free to go in, and the cloister is one of the calmest corners in the city. Book a tower tour for views over the rooftops, then stop at the cathedral café.
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
Chester Roman Amphitheatre
St John Street, by the Newgate
Address: Little St John Street, Chester CH1 1RE- Culture
- Outdoors
- Free
Stand in the arena of the largest Roman amphitheatre found in Britain, half dug out beside the walls just outside the Newgate.
Why it's a good date: Free, open to wander and a five-minute stop on the way to the river. Read the boards, picture the crowds, then walk through the Roman Gardens next door.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Grosvenor Park
Grosvenor Park Road, east of the city centre
Address: Grosvenor Park Road, Chester CH1 1QQ- Outdoors
- Free
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
Stroll the Victorian park above the river, with big old trees, formal gardens and a path down to the Groves.
Why it's a good date: A pretty, easy walk with a bench for every mood. In summer look out for open-air theatre in the park, and bring a picnic for the lawns.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
River Dee cruise
The Groves, by the bandstand
Address: The Boating Station, Souters Lane, The Groves, Chester CH1 1SZ- Activity
- Outdoors
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Take a short boat trip along the Dee from the Groves, past riverside gardens and grand houses, or the longer cruise out to the Duke of Westminster's estate.
Why it's a good date: Half an hour on the water with nothing to do but sit back. Go late in the afternoon, then walk over the Queen's Park suspension bridge and back along the Groves.
Photo: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Storyhouse
Hunter Street, by the Town Hall
Address: Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR- Event
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Culture
See a play, catch a film in the little cinema or just have a drink at the theatre, cinema and library built inside Chester's old art-deco Odeon.
Why it's a good date: Something on most nights, from big productions to films, with a bar and restaurant inside. Book the show, then eat there first so you don't have to rush.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Grosvenor Museum
Grosvenor Street, near the castle
Address: 27 Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2DD- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Browse Roman tombstones from the fortress of Deva, Chester silver and paintings, then walk through a set of period rooms in the Georgian house at the back.
Why it's a good date: Free, never too busy and a good way to understand what you've seen on the walls. Pair it with the amphitheatre for a Roman afternoon.
Photo: Stephen Rogerson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Chester Zoo
Upton, two miles north of the city centre
Address: Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester CH2 1EU- Activity
- Outdoors
- Mid-price
- Cheap and cheerful
Spend the day at one of the biggest zoos in the country, from elephants and big cats to the lush tropical gardens of the Islands zone.
Why it's a good date: Easily a whole day, so wear comfy shoes and pick a few must-sees on the map. Book online, and go on a weekday out of the school holidays for a quieter visit.
Chester Racecourse
The Roodee, by the Watergate
Address: The Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY- Event
- Outdoors
- Mid-price
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Big night
Dress up for a race day on the Roodee, the oldest racecourse still in use in England, laid out right beneath the city walls.
Why it's a good date: A proper occasion from May to September, with the whole city joining in. Book ahead for the big meetings, or watch a race for free from the walls above.
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The Brewery Tap
Lower Bridge Street, near the Old Dee Bridge
Address: 52-54 Lower Bridge Street, Chester CH1 1RU- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Dog friendly
- Cosy
Have a pint of local Spitting Feathers ale in the lofty medieval great hall of Gamul House, one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Why it's a good date: A pub with a real sense of history, and plenty of room to spread out. Dogs are welcome until early evening, and it's a short walk down to the river afterwards.
Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Porta
Northgate Street, city centre
Address: 140 Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2HT- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
- Foodie
- Cheap and cheerful
Squeeze in for small plates of Spanish tapas, sherry and Spanish wine at the busy little bar by the Northgate.
Why it's a good date: Lively and relaxed, and sharing plates are made for dates. It's walk-in only, so go early or be ready to wait with a drink at the bar.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The Chef's Table
Pepper Street, city centre
Address: 7-15 Pepper Street, Chester CH1 1EA- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Romantic
- Foodie
Book dinner at the independent restaurant on Pepper Street, where a small menu of modern British plates changes every few weeks with the seasons.
Why it's a good date: The one for a birthday or an anniversary, without the stiffness of a hotel dining room. Book ahead, and walk along the walls to the river afterwards.
Chester Market
Exchange Square, off Northgate Street
Address: New Chester Market, Exchange Square, Chester CH1 2AR- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Graze your way round the city's new indoor market hall, with street-food stalls and shared tables alongside the butchers, bakers and grocers.
Why it's a good date: Everyone can pick something different and you still eat together. Do a lap first, order from two or three stalls and share.
Beeston Castle
Beeston, near Tarporley, about ten miles south-east of the city
Address: Chapel Lane, Beeston, Tarporley CW6 9TX- Trip
- Outdoors
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Out of town
Climb up to the ruined castle on a sandstone crag above the Cheshire Plain, with views across to Wales and the Pennines on a clear day.
Why it's a good date: A short, steep climb rewarded with one of the best views in Cheshire. Bring a picnic for the tables outside, and check opening days before you go in the colder months.
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Erddig
Near Wrexham, about twelve miles south of the city
Address: Erddig, Wrexham LL13 0YT- Trip
- Mid-price
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Out of town
- Culture
Visit the country house just over the Welsh border that tells the story of its servants as much as its owners, with a walled garden and wooded parkland.
Why it's a good date: Unusually personal for a stately home, with portraits and poems about the staff in the servants' hall. Rooms open vary through the year, so check before you go and leave time for the garden.
Photo: Jeff Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Dates in Chester: quick answers
What are good rainy-day dates in Chester?
The Rows keep you dry while you shop, and Chester Cathedral, the Grosvenor Museum and Storyhouse are all indoors. Chester Market is a warm place for lunch, and the Brewery Tap is a cosy spot to sit out a shower.
Are there free date ideas in Chester?
Plenty. Walking the city walls, browsing the Rows, the Roman amphitheatre and Grosvenor Park all cost nothing, and the cathedral and Grosvenor Museum are free to go in.
Can you walk all the way round Chester's walls?
Yes. The full circuit is about two miles and takes around an hour at a gentle pace. There are steps in places, so some sections are harder with a wheelchair or pushchair.
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