Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
family entertainment; and an Autumn Festival. Also known as the Roodee, the early
16th-century course is the oldest still in use in Britain.
From May to August, Chester's costumed
town-crier
appears at the City Cross at
noon (Tues-Sat), to shout news about exhibitions, attractions, and the like.
Cheshire's great country houses run packed programs of events year-round; see indi-
vidual reviews (below) and websites.
Exploring the Area
CHESTER
The traditional county town of mainly rural Cheshire, Chester was founded by a
Roman legion on the River Dee in the 1st century a.d. and reached its pinnacle as a
bustling port in the 13th and 14th centuries. Though it declined as the river gradually
silted up, its fortified
city walls
, largely intact, are Britain's most complete.
Climb the steps close to the much-photographed
Eastgate Clock
and walk along
the top of the wall, past 18th-century buildings and some Roman ruins you can
explore for free. The wall is walkable for almost all of its 2 miles; at its southwestern
corner lie some fragments of medieval
Chester Castle
(
&
01829/260464;
www.
english-heritage.org.uk) plus, in old barracks within the castle confines, the
Cheshire Military Museum
(
&
01244/327617;
www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.
co.uk), open daily 10am to 5pm, with entry £3 for adults, £2 for children.
But the most interesting spot of this section of Chester is the remains of Britain's
largest
Roman amphitheatre
, which was used for military training and enter-
tainment (cock-fighting, bull-baiting, classical boxing, gladiatorial combat, and more)
by the 20th Legion. Half-exposed (the other half is covered by listed buildings), it
only came to light in 1929 and further excavation took place in 2007-9, with a
trompe
l'oeil
mural added in 2010 to give visitors at least the illusion of being surrounded by
the entire structure. The site is free to access at any time. From here, you can take a
pleasant stroll along the 18th-century riverside promenade,
The Groves
, newly
refurbished in 2011.
Chester's rich heritage is proudly displayed at the
Grosvenor Museum,
and to
more corny effect just around the corner at the
Dewa Roman Experience.
The
other main sight in the center,
Chester Cathedral
, Abbey Square (
&
01244/
324756;
www.chestercathedral.com), was founded in 1092 as a Benedictine abbey
and made an Anglican cathedral church in 1541. Notable features include the fine
range of monastic buildings, particularly the cloisters and refectory, the chapterhouse,
and the superb medieval woodcarving in the choir (stalls). Visiting times are Monday
to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 1 to 4pm, but call ahead if making a special trip in
case of services or events. Admission is £5 adults, £2.50 children, including a 45-min-
ute audio-tour (of which there's a children's version).
Blue Planet Aquarium
AQUARIUM Europe's biggest collection of sharks
(and the opportunity to dive with some of them) and a new-in-2011 Coral Cave with
state-of-the-art lighting effects are among the draws at this large aquarium, but try to
avoid school holidays, when the place gets uncomfortably crowded.
Junction 10 of the M53, Ellesmere Port.
&
0151/357-8804.
www.blueplanetaquarium.com. Admission
£15 adults, £11 for children 13 and under (taller than 95cm). Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, until 6pm Sat-Sun and
school holidays.
Chester Zoo
ZOO One of the best British zoos, this has a strong reputation
for its conservation work and well-sized enclosures. The quirky 1970s-style monorail
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