Chester - Old City

A delightful sight are the rows of half timbered houses in Lower Bridge Street in Chester, in particular Falcon House (17th century), Tudor House (16th century, believed to be the oldest dwelling house in the town), the Old King's Head Hotel (17th century) and the Bear and Billet (1664), a four storied half timbered inn near the Bridgegate.

The building at 13 Lower Bridge Street houses a toy museum with not only a splendid collection of dolls made between 1860 and 1950 but also the largest collection of Matchbox model cars in the world.

Across the road from Market Square in Chester the Abbey Gate (14th century) leads to Abbey Square, with houses dating from about 1760.

The open space just outside Newgate, now the Amphitheater Gardens, was once the site of the largest Roman amphitheater in England, capable of accommodating over 7,000 spectators.

Remains of a Roman bath were discovered at 39 Bridge Street.
At Pierpoint Lane, Bridge Street, is the 'Dewa Roman Experience'. Here visitors can stroll along reconstructed streets and explore what life was like in Roman Britain.

The Cheshire Military Museum tells the story of the four famous Regiments connected with the area. Among the groups and individuals featured in the display are Lord Baden Powell, founder of the scouting movement, and "The Cheshire Yeomanry", the last horsed regiment in action during WWII.

This attraction is permanently closed.

The Chester Gateway Theatre is the city's award winning theatre. It is tucked away behind the Forum in downtown and offers varied program of drama, comedy, stand-up, dance, workshops and children's theatre throughout the year.

The Chester Visitor Centre is the first place you should stop when you arrive. You can obtain information and watch a video presentation that highlights the main features and places of interest in Chester. Learn about the town's history by exploring a reconstruction of typical Chester Street from the Victorian period.

The Dewa Roman Experience will take you back to Roman Britain. Stroll along a reconstructed street where the sights, sounds and smells of the period are recreated. Explore the remains of a Roman fortress at large excavation sites and "handle dig" discoveries in the 'finds' room.

Just beyond the Roodee is a gap in the walls where they are breached by Grosvenor Road. This then crosses Grosvenor Bridge which, when built in 1832, had the greatest span of any single arched stone bridge in England (200ft/61m).

The Grosvenor Museum boasts an exceptionally fine collection of Roman antiquities. Special displays illustrate the life of a Roman legionary and the Roman fortification of Britain.

The Heritage Centre in Chester's city centre will provide you with the story of the city's unique buildings including its rows and walls. Piece together the past with pottery fragments excavated within the city.

Outside the west walls, on what was once part of Chester's old port, lies the racecourse known as the Roodee. There has been horse racing here at least since 1609.

The St John's Church in Chester, some of which dates from the late 19th century, retains part of a 12th century Norman church, in particular the still impressive nave. The triforium is Transitional (ca. 1200). The original choir and Lady Chapel were destroyed when the central tower collapsed and are now no more than picturesque ruins.

Chester's 19th century Town Hall is situated about half way along Northgate Street, beside the Market Square.