Chester Landmarks and Monuments

(Chester, Cheshire, England, UK)

The city's most impressive and most iconic landmarks can be included in a list of 'most photographed' places in the UK. Among them are the Chester Rows, which can be found in the city's historic quarter, and the Eastgate Clock.

If you first want to orient yourself in this fairly compact city, it is worth taking a walking tour of some or all of the Chester City Walls. In fact, the city is home to the most complete circuit of a Roman-Medieval town wall in the whole of the UK. The walls date back some 2,000 years and, as such, provide a rich insight into the evolution of the city from its earliest days.

Also of great age is the ancient Roman Amphitheatre on Vicars Lane, which is of grand proportions and really is something of a must-see for sightseers with an interest in ancient history. Considerably more youthful and still equally impressive is the Old Dee Bridge from the 13th century.

Chester City Walls

Address: Chester, Cheshire, England, UK
Once the Walls were no longer needed as a military defence, they became a popular place to take a stroll. It is at this time, during the 18th century, that many of the towers and gateways were removed. In all, Chester's Walls run for a distance of 2 miles / 3 km. Whilst some tourists tackle a section at a time, others prefer to walk the whole distance, which takes from one to two hours, depending on how long you choose to linger along the way.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Chester Rows

Address: Eastgate / Bridge Street / Upper Bridge Street / Northgate Street / Watergate Street / Chester, Cheshire, England, UK
A visit to Chester's most iconic landmark is a must. These rows of half-timbered first-floor galleries are, in fact, unique in the world. Some of the buildings date back to the 13th century, whilst others are faithful Victorian reproductions. Likewise, some of the galleries have been enclosed over the years. Whatever their historic pedigree, considerable stretches of the Rows still exist and they are, indeed, an impressive sight. Why the Rows were built in this way is open to conjecture. The design of these covered galleries is, in fact, quite practical. Climb the steps from the main street below, and you can shelter from the elements whilst you shop.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Eastgate Clock

Address: Eastgate Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1LT, England, UK
Built above Chester's Georgian Eastgate, the clock is a later addition that was put up to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. Today, the Eastgate Clock helps to keep locals fully aware of the time and is seen as one of Chester's major landmarks. Indeed, it is reputed to be the most photographed British clock after London's Big Ben. The clock itself can be accessed via the City Walls.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Chester High Cross

Address: Watergate Street / Bridge Street / Eastgate Street Junction, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HG, England, UK
Situated at the junction of the three busiest and most central streets in the city, the Cross is the perfect meeting place. In the summer, Chester's town crier stands at the Cross to make his midday proclamation. The Cross itself dates back to the 1300s, although the one we see today has been largely replaced following Civil War damage.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Roman Amphitheatre

Address: Vicars Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HS, England, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1244 402 260
Chester's Roman Amphitheatre is the largest of its kind in the UK. In its heyday, it was used as a place of entertainment for the 20th Legion, which was based here at the fortress of Deva. During the medieval period, the abandoned site was covered over with housing. However, in the 1950s, the area was opened up by archaeologists. More extensive excavations in recent years have revealed that there were actually two amphitheatres, constructed from stone and with wooden seating. Built towards the end of the 1st century AD, they were most probably also used for military training.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Old Dee Bridge

Address: Handbridge, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2DE, England, UK
Situated at the bottom of Bridge Street, the Old Dee Bridge is yet another reminder of the city's impeccable historic credentials. The first Dee Bridge on this site was made of wood and can be dated back to the 10th century. It was replaced by a stone bridge in the 13th century and, until 1832, was the only place in Chester that you could cross the River Dee and travel on into Wales. It was even said to have boasted a drawbridge and portcullis. Later, it was superseded by the more modern Grosvenor Bridge.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free