Chester Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Chester, Cheshire, England, UK)

Whether you have a few hours to spare or a few days, Chester offers plenty in the way of things to do. Tourist attractions include its much-visited cathedral, Roman remains, the city's famous racecourse and, a little way out of the city itself, the firm-family favourite and children's staple, Chester Zoo.

The city's extremely popular zoological gardens first opened to members of the public in the early 1930s and over the years, Chester Zoo has grown considerably in size. It now covers more than 100 acres / 40 hectares and welcomes in excess of one million visitors annually.

The city's well-placed Visitor Centre, located in Town Hall Square, is a mine of information about city based and nearby attractions. These include heritage tours and boat trips on the River Dee.

Chester Cathedral

Address: 12 Abbey Square, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HU, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1244 324 756
Chester Cathedral is one of the most visited attractions in the city and it is easy to see why. The building's architectural merit is matched by intricate stone work, beautiful wood carvings and stunning stained glass. They are all evidence of the work of master craftsmen and date back hundreds of years. Look out in particular for the Norman arches, the Gothic columns and the Chester Imp, a devilish figure that can be spotted high up in a window near to the nave altar. It was put there to ward off the Devil, should he dare to look in. Every five years, the cathedral's nave is the venue for the Chester Mystery Plays, a theatrical rendition of the Bible stories. The cloister gardens offer a quiet place for reflection.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: free (donation requested)

Chester Castle / Agricola Tower

Address: Grosvenor Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2DD, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1244 972 120
Managed by the English Heritage organisation, Chester Castle once formed part of William the Conqueror's 11th-century defences. A stone castle was built on the site in the 12th century. Today, entrance to the castle is through the Agricola Tower. Inside, in the first-floor chapel, it is worth looking out for the interesting 13th-century wall paintings, which were only discovered in the 1980s. From the Tower, the walls can be accessed via a stairway. The effort required is justified by some magnificent views across the city. Also of interest is the Flag Tower, which was built on the site of the castle's original keep, and nearby Frobisher's House. Nowadays, the only way to access Chester Castle is to take a guided tour, which starts from the Town Hall Square, or during a living history event.
Open hours: May to October, Monday and Tuesday - 14:00 to 15:30 (guided tours only)
Admission: free

Chester Zoo

Address: Upton-by-Chester, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 1LH, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1244 380 280
Today, Chester Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in the world and is home to more than 11,000 animals. They range from the tiniest of bugs to the largest of rhinos and include some 400 species that are either rare or endangered. Must-see exhibits include the Fruit Bat Forest, the Spirit of the Jaguar and the Tsavo Black Rhino Experience, not to mention the Elephants of the Asian Forest. The zoo gives daily animal talks and younger visitors can find out all about zoo life through a series of animations. Visitors can take time out from animal-watching with a stroll in the zoo's extensive landscaped gardens.
Open hours: daily, October to mid-July - 10:00 to 17:00; mid-July to September - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Chester Races

Address: The Racecourse, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2LY, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1244 304 610
If you are a fan of horse racing, then a trip to the Chester Racecourse (the Roodee) really is something of a must-do. The racing season here begins with a three-day May Festival and runs through to September. Of interest to visitors, the racecourse is thought to be the most historic of all the racecourses still operating in England. Historians confidently believe that it has its origins as far back as the 16th century.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge for races and other events