Chester Neighbourhoods, Locations and Districts

(Chester, Cheshire, England, UK)

This city is renowned for its wonderful architecture and the ancient walls that surround its oldest streets. Chester's historic district is of particular appeal to visitors.

It is remarkably easy to take in all the major 'within the walls' sights on foot. It is even easier to navigate around Chester city centre. Just look out for the Cross, where the city's four main streets converge.

Outside Chester's walls are the city's more modern neighbourhoods and an inner ring road. These suburbs grew as the population expanded over time, featuring a range of housing from Victorian brick terraces to 1930s semi-detached villas. Each district tends to comprise a residential area, as well as shops, restaurants, places to stay and sporting facilities.

City Centre

At the heart of Chester lie a handful of streets that are named after the historic gateways into the city. These gateways include Eastgate, Northgate, St. Martin's Gate, Watergate, Bridgegate, Newgate and Wolf Gate. Watergate Street is home to the Chester Rows and, in recent years, has become known as the city's Independent Quarter, because of the number of small, independently owned shops found here. The present-day Eastgate is located on the site where the Romans would once have entered the original fort of Deva.

Westminster Park

This western suburb of Chester mainly comprises residents' houses, a shopping complex and, of course, a large recreational park. The park is home to several sporting clubs, including bowls, cricket and tennis.

Handbridge

On the south side of Chester's River Dee and just a short walk from the city centre is the district of Handbridge. Settled since the Iron Age, Handbridge has variously served as a quarry for locally used sandstone and a salmon fishing centre. Nowadays, it is a fairly large residential area, although it has still managed to hang on to some of its former village atmosphere. Its winding streets are characterised by Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian terraces. Handbridge is home to a public park known as Edgar's Field, as well as the historic St. Mary's Church and Water Tower.

Hoole

In the 12th century, Hoole used to be known as the Valley of Demons, a place where thieves and robbers lay in wait. Today, this mainly residential area is much more pleasant. Largely made up of Victorian terraces and a handful of shops, the neighbourhood is also home to the Hoole Lawn Tennis Club, founded in 1896. The main shopping streets found here are Faulkner Street and Charles Street.

Saltney

Saltney is something of a town divided. Higher Saltney, which is part of the city of Chester, shouldn't be confused with Saltney Town, which is actually situated in Flintshire, Wales. The community of Saltney is indeed split in two by the English-Welsh border. In Roman times, Saltney was the gateway to Wales. Its name is derived from the salt marshes on which the town was originally built.

Upton-by-Chester

Situated on the outskirts of Chester, Upton-by-Chester is actually made up of two villages - Upton and Upton Heath. It grew as a suburb with the arrival of the railways in Cheshire. Whilst most of this district is taken up by residential housing, it remains an area that has plenty of green spaces, including the Upton Golf Course, an 18-hole parkland course. Nearby attractions come in the form of Chester Zoo and the Upton Mill, which dates back to the 18th century.

Boughton

To the east of Chester city centre is the neighbourhood of Boughton. Its history dates back to Roman times and numerous antiquities from the city's Roman era have been found in and around the area. In medieval times, Boughton was known for its leper community, known as Spital Boughton. A major landmark in the area is the Lead Shot Tower, as is the Shropshire Union Canal, which runs through the neighbourhood.

Mollington

The small village of Mollington serves largely as a commuter village for those who work in Chester and nearby cities. Its semi-rural location, country lanes and pleasant Cheshire landscape is much sought-after as both a residential area and a place for several luxury hotels. The main attraction in the village is Mollington Hall.