Date spot in Chester
Chester Racecourse
Dress up for a race day on the Roodee, the oldest racecourse still in use in England, laid out right beneath the city walls.
The Roodee, by the Watergate
Address: The Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY- Event
- Outdoors
- Mid-price
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Big night
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)
More from our Chester guide
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.
