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Original poster

Anyone in Chester? What's the cheapest way to do a long weekend?

26 replies

MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 08:43

Hi all, I'm looking to do a long weekend in Chester towards the end of October.

Hopefully Friday to Monday but might have to be Friday to Sunday. Any tips on cheap accommodation?

I'm wanting to visit the zoo but any other suggestions of places to go also appreciated.

Thank you! Smile

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 16/01/2019 08:46

Will you have a car or be using public transport to get there and get around? And is it you or you plus partner, children?

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 09:14

I've got a car. And at the moment the plan is me and DD who will be 2 and a half by that time.

OP posts:
Stabbitha · 16/01/2019 09:16

Someone might suggest the blue planet. Don't listen. It's incredibly over priced.

FlibbertyGiblets · 16/01/2019 09:22

A bit little for Crockyland.

The ice cream farm Tattenhall is fun.

Walking round the city walls is free.

Zoo is great, take snacks as food a bit £££ to buy.

No idea re accommodation apart from Premier Inns are great.

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 09:23

Thanks for the tip off! It's the zoo we're going for really but if I can afford a proper long weekend we'll have another day to do something else.

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 16/01/2019 09:30

I'll bet you'll find a zoo plus hotel deal online somewhere.

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 09:36

Flibberty that's what I was hoping. As I'm driving I don't mind being further away from Chester if that makes accommodation cheaper.

It's only because we're coming from Hampshire that I don't want to drive there and back in one day.

Is the ice cream farm worth visiting? It looked good on the website, but then most places do!

OP posts:
FlibbertyGiblets · 16/01/2019 09:43

Hopefully you'll find a deal, Hampshire is a long old way to do a day trip.

Ice cream farm is worth a visit for sure - you could almost do it as part of the return journey.

FatandSassy · 16/01/2019 09:57

We've stayed in Chester a couple of times, it's a gorgeous place.
The boat trip down the river is fun.
It will be cheaper to stay outside the walls, we usually get a good deal at The Brookside Hotel. It's just lovely and only a ten minute walk away from the city centre.
The cathedral is free (barring a donation) and the walk around the city walls is marvellous.
There is a falconry too which is awesome, we caught them just before close and paid the entrance fee, then got to hold a golden eagle each as it was just us and another family. That was a brilliant weekend!

horizontilting · 16/01/2019 09:58

www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/rossett,-north-wales/9399940

We loved this place, drove into Chester

FatandSassy · 16/01/2019 09:58

Oh and I forgot to mention - The Brookside Hotel does a 20% off tickets at the zoo too, so might be worth enquiring at wherever you stay for discounts locally?

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 17:49

Thanks for all the tips everyone Smile

You can never be sure about places when you look online so it's good to have recommendations.

OP posts:
Gobolinocat · 16/01/2019 17:55

Premier Inn, its fine.

picklemepopcorn · 16/01/2019 18:30

Wetherspoons is great, round the corner from a cheap public car park and handy for the town.

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 19:05

Quite happy with Premier Inn or similar.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a shop around and see if I can get a good deal.

OP posts:
Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 19:12

My next question is, does anyone know when half term is in October? Ideally I'd like to visit the zoo in term time, even if that means going midweek.

OP posts:
FreezerBird · 16/01/2019 19:18

We stayed in a premier Inn and I think there was a free bus up to the zoo. It's a while ago though.

Re Blue Planet - we weren't impressed but had been to both Bristol and Plymouth aquarium in the few month prior so it suffered by comparison. However given that someone else has said to avoid maybe use your time for something else!

FreezerBird · 16/01/2019 19:20

Oh, we enjoyed the walk around the walls too, but our kids are bigger - not sure a little one would enjoy it so much partly because they might not be able to see anything over the walls!

RunningLondon · 16/01/2019 19:24

Hi, I live just outside chester. Holiday inn on Wrexham road would be good, ample parking, 10 mins to the zoo. Park and ride into the city across the road.

Blue planet is rubbish. Ice cream farm is lovely...if it’s not half term! Candle workshop nearby is nice too :)

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 19:38

Running could you post a link to the right Premier Inn please? There seem to be lots in the area and I'm not sure which is the one you mean!

OP posts:
Whatthefunk · 16/01/2019 19:49

As above, don't go to the blue planet, its crap. Westminster, Grosvenor and Handbridge parks are good for little kids, and boat trips on the Dee sre lovely.

MrsLJ2014 · 16/01/2019 19:56

For most people, half term will be last week in October. If you don't get zoo tickets with a hotel, make sure you go online and book zoo tickets before 9:30am that day to get cheaper than on the gate prices.

Original poster
MushroomTree · 16/01/2019 21:51

Thanks Mrs

I think I might do a midweek trip the week before half term. Much cheaper hotel and hopefully a less busy zoo.

OP posts:
BobbyGentry · 16/01/2019 21:58

Cheshire Oaks Retail Park, Chester Cathedral, walk walls (seeing the Roman ruins amphitheatre & baths, see the race course - it’s round) sit by the river Dee & just be. The Old Harker’s Arms (on the canal, near the Station) does a lovely pub lunch.

RunningLondon · 17/01/2019 13:40

www.hichestersouthhotel.co.uk/ this is the one :) xx

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