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Chester

Founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century A.D. Chester is known for its extensive Roman
walls made of local red sandstone. In the old city, the Rows is a shopping district distinguished by
2-level covered arcades and Tudor-style half-timber buildings. A Roman amphitheatre, with
ongoing excavations, lies just outside the old city’s walls.

More about Chester in Wikipedia . . .

Things to do in Chester

Chester City Walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost
2000 years old. Chester is the only city in Britain that retains the full circuit of its ancient defensive
walls. Walking the complete circuit gives views down into the city and an insight into Chester’s
long history. The main access onto the walls is at each of the four main gateways – Northgate,
Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate.

Chester Zoo is the UK’s number one zoo with 1.6 million visitors every year, 20,000 animals from
500 exotic and endangered species. There are 125 acres to explore including the Realm of the
Red Ape, Tsavo Black Rhino reserve, the Asian elephant house, Fruit Bat Forest and more.

Grosvenor Museum. Displays on Roman life and times in Chester, particularly the military
occupation. Period House with rooms from the 17th century to the 1920s. Explore ‘hands-on’ the
geology and natural history of the area. Discover the city’s important place in the history of English
silverware.

Ness Botanical Gardens. These outstanding award-winning botanic gardens overlooking the Dee
Estuary contain the finest collection of rhododendron and azaleas in the north west.

Chester Cathedral Falconry. Right in the heart of the city, in the grounds of Chester Cathedral you
can get a chance to see some of the most spectacular birds of prey, up close and personal. Owls,
falcons, hawks and one incredibly mischievous vulture called Tinks, are on show every day.
Expert falconers are always on hand to talk about any aspect of the birds and their habitats.

Chester Rows are continuous half-timbered galleries, reached by steps, which form a second row
of shops above those at street level along Watergate Street, Northgate Street, Eastgate Street and
Bridge Street. The Rows are unique in the world and nobody is quite sure why they were built in
this way. Some original 13th century buildings, including the Three Old Arches in Bridge Street,
have survived the ravages of time, but many of the impressive facades are Victorian copies.

Attractions on the Yorkshire Dales option

The Yorkshire Dales have some of the finest walking country in Britain. You can get details of
walks throughout the region from the Walking In The Yorkshire Dales website.

Stavely.

Staveley Mill Yard, the former bobbin/wood mill, is home to over 20 small enterprises and
workshops including the UK’s largest cycle store, a unique cookery school, Hawkshead Brewery,
an ice-cream parlour, artisan bread maker and the famous walkers’ café, Wilfs.

Hawkshead Brewery is a craft beer producer. You can take a tour of the brewery and there’s a
restaurant on site.