Chester
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Small city steeped in history dating back to the Romans
North West England
ches-te
Chester
There has been a settlement at Chester, since the Romans built a fort here in AD79. The city walls are the most complete city walls in Britain, with some sections still intact from 120 AD, while most of the existing wall is Medieval. Within the walls the red sandstone Cathedral dates from 1093 and stands it is believed on the same site as a temple dedicated to Apollo existed until Christianity became the religion of the Roman Empire. Also within the walls The Rows are a series of half-timbered buildings joined with long galleries which make a shopping mall – Tudor style!To the south of the walls, lies the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre, built in the 1st century AD and once a 7,000 seater arena, the largest in the country under Roman occupation. English Heritage
Activities
A walk around the 2 mile city walls is an absolute must and apart from viewing the ancient walls themselves and in particular the Eastgate -its famous clock and the Wishing steps on the south-east of the wall, you also get a great view of the city down below and the landscape outside the walls.
The Cathedral Tour is extremely informative, and helps you understand the history of this magnificent and awe-inspiring building with its high vaulted ceilings
The Grosvenor Museum is Chester's biggest collection of local and international history. The museum has a section on Roman life and displays items found in the town from the ancient Roman settlement. It also contains areas devoted to Tudor, Steward and Victorian times.
To the west of the walls the Rodee is Chester’s Racecourse. Every May there is a race week, but during the summer there are a number of meetings.
What's nearby
Chester Zoo is the largest Zoo in Britain with over 7000 animals and 400 different species, including some of the most endangered species on the planet.
Cheshire Oaks, just outside Chester is the largest Designer Outlet in the UK, located just off Junction 10 of the M53.
Arley Hall and Gardens is a place of enormous character, charm and interest. Visitors are frequently struck by the warm and intimate atmosphere and the feeling that Arley is a much-cherished family home. The Gardens, which are amongst the finest in Britain, are outstanding for their vitality, variety and historical interest and are particularly celebrated for the magnificent double herbaceous border. The Hall is an impressive example of a Victorian country house built in the Elizabethan style.
Blue Planet Aquarium, just north of Chester, is full of fascinating and deadly sea creatures. Awesome sharks, man-eating piranhas, electric eels and many other weird and wonderful species all live in our vast underwater complex.
An ancient by-law that was never withdawn states that it is legal for an Englishman to kill a Welshman from the city walls with an English longbow!
Gerald of Wales, 1189
