- Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th March 2019
- Chester
Why Chester…….
So Chester for those that do not know is a picturesque City on the River Dee in Cheshire, in the North West of England.
We are actually here only as a stopover on our way to Wales as it is close to the border but it’s somewhere I’ve been interested to visit and it actually offers a range of activities.
Chester’s location means we could easily have chosen the bigger, brasher neighbours of Manchester or Liverpool as our stopover but we choose here. I have read it’s a city of character, history and style of its own and packs alot into a small space…can’t wait to check it out!
So after checking into our hotel it was time to explore the city by night to get our bearings…as we do.
We undertook our first circuit of the city, checking out where we were going to revisit the next day in day light.
Loving the Tudor style buildings
We discovered the cities walls which were built by the Roman’s back when Chester was a fortress.
These walls have been extended over the years. Chester’s city walls run for two miles around the Old City.
We also saw the Ornate Eastgate Clock, built on top of a bridge to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
By night
They say this is England’s second most photographed clock beaten only by Big Ben’s clock tower.
By day
Britain’s largest Roman amphitheater and fragments from the old baths in the Roman Gardens were pretty spectacular too.
Site where amphitheater would have stood
Model of amphitheater from around the start of the third century AD in its Roman setting
Roman Gardens – Roman baths situated here
Bathing halls, this was the sauna area
Chester is also home to the original medieval version of a shopping mall – The Rows.
They’re like double decker, black and white shops, one on the ground floor, then another on a raised level above. They have allowed double level shopping here at least since the 13th century.
The first floors are covered walkways and these can be seen in the city’s four main streets. They are unique not only in Britain but everywhere in the world. So nice, I am finally impressed with shops!!
We also walked along Shropshire Union Canal which runs along the edge of the city.
Chester Cathedral
St John the Baptist Church, parts of the old church still visible
Mary's Outdoor Adventure's 
Take it your on your way to climb Snowdon? What’s happened to the Munros? Chester looks lovely,very Dickens Ian. Remember visiting it for the day when we went to meet Anna”s parents in Liverpool. You two certainly get around. Have a lovely time and hope the weather is kind to you as it’s very windy here. Love/God Bless. Aunty Alice xx
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So yes….were hoping to climb Snowdon but high winds here also! Typical!!! Tomorrow is looking like our only opportunity no rain but high winds whereas Tuesday rain and high winds and were heading back Wednesday!! Not good ☹️. We were meant to be here doing a few hikes but looks unlikely. The Munro’s will still be happening but I’ve said for about the last five years that I was going to come and do Snowdon….heard it’s usually jam packed in summer and weekends so thought up the bright idea of coming March time….not so bright thinking now! Fingers crossed for tomorrow 🤞….Chester was lovely…so impressed with the buildings ❤️
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Lovely city Chester. Spent time there years ago on our way back from Scotland. Good luck with your Snowdon climb. Hope weather kind to you. Look forward to some more photos. Xx
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Very beautiful city was Chester! So spoiler alert…We did Snowdon…woo hoo 😀 x
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A few years back Martin went to Snowdonia with some neighbours thinking he was going to climb the mountain. Turned out when they arrived that they were proper mountaineers with ropes etc. Thank goodness he opted out as that’s not his thing. Ended up doing the a walk on his own. Hope you manage to get that under your belt. Next trip the Eiger!!!😁😁xx
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Amazing climbing routes here I bet….possibly Martin took the best option s u believe some are very scary indeed 😯…I’ll let you read the next blog to see if we made Snowdon or not 😂😜x p.s The Eiger was on our hit list for June this year until Russia for in the way!!! 😲
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Love the pictures of Chester with its midieval walls and history. Hope you both achieve your goal of climbing Snowdon fingers crossed the wind calms down before Wednesday. Yesterday’s walk with my group was quite windy the sun came out as we were having lunch in the grounds of Polsted church a little village in Suffolk so that was a bonus. We covered around 18 km so that was my little challenge of the weekend. It is good to have a goal really enjoy hearing about you and Andy’s achievements. Love Theresa xx
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Chester was stunning, very picturesque! Glad to hear your still keeping up with the walks whatever the weather and it sounded like a nice walk! X
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