Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What to do in Chester?

28 replies

Russell19 · 22/02/2022 20:44

Having a day out with my mum in a few days and was thinking the lovely people of mumsnet might have some ideas of what we can do?

I'm looking for hidden gem type places and maybe slightly touristy things to do. I've been to Chester before but just for shopping and was wanting something a bit more special as I haven't been out with my mum since pre covid.

Thanks!

OP posts:
HTruffle · 22/02/2022 21:16

The 5th floor restaurant at the Abode Hotel is lovely and overlooks the racecourse. That said there might be roadworks down there as we speak! There’s Edgar’s tearooms, or the Opera Grill for eating. Both lovely. Or Chez Jules for French food. You could walk part of the walls starting at Eastgate Clock? Or visit the Cathedral? Hope you have a lovely time.

Partyowl21 · 22/02/2022 21:22

The Boathouse Chester is a lovely pub with good food right on the river if you ask for a window seat and explain its a special occasion they usually do their best to help. otherwise the Secret Garden at the Townhouse gets really good reviews. You will need to book both.

Original poster
Russell19 · 22/02/2022 21:59

Lovely recommendations thank you! Any non food suggestions as trying to fill the day. Will definitely do the cathedral Smile

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
MrPenguinsPoppers · 22/02/2022 22:01

Sit in bloody roadworks if its anything like it was before Christmas 😯

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 22/02/2022 22:11

Visit the Roman Amphitheatre - there's not an awful lot left of it, but it still feels special.

You'll probably see them by default anyway, but don't miss the Rows - the multi-level shops in the centre.

Visit the Roman Hypocaust in the cellar of 39 Bridge Street - I think it's a cafe now, so schedule in a coffee break there!

BuntyCollocks · 22/02/2022 22:14

Go to upstairs at the grill - the food is phenomenal. Bar lounge across the way is awesome as well. Hickory’s smokehouse is so good.

Yes, I realise these are all food 😂

maddy68 · 22/02/2022 22:14

Bihar ride along the Dee

I really like a lunch down the rows.

If the races are on that's fun to do.

Damnloginpopup · 22/02/2022 22:21

Shoot a Welshman with a bow and arrow (at the right time of day). I don't think they've repealed that law yet.

TheMarzipanDildo · 22/02/2022 22:25

Walk along the walls.

AdaColeman · 22/02/2022 22:25

Boat trip on the river if the weather isn’t too bad.

Check what’s on at the Storyhouse cinema/theatre, there might be a matinee, good if the weather is awful. (A converted Art Deco cinema near the Cathedral and the Town Hall)

The Grosvenor Museum, a wide range of items, including Roman artefacts.

Don’t forget that Chester will be busy during half term.

Hamjamthankyoumam · 22/02/2022 22:27

Have a drink at a secret speakeasy bar called Church (if it’s still there since the pandemic)

LordEmsworth · 22/02/2022 22:28

@Damnloginpopup

Shoot a Welshman with a bow and arrow (at the right time of day). I don't think they've repealed that law yet.
That's only on a Sunday after curfew, within the walls.

If the cathedral is doing the At Height tour, I thoroughly thoroughly recommend it. Even if not, there's a ground floor tour twice a day which is good too.

The Sick to Death museum is quite fun. The boat ride to Aldford is nice on a sunny day. Wall round the walls and racecourse. The guided walking tour is great, there's now also a Roman tour, a medieval one and I think a Tudor one as well.

Story house sometimes has activities which might be worth checking out. Or how does your mum feel about whizzing round on a scooter? Grin

Hamjamthankyoumam · 22/02/2022 22:31

Ahh actually the speakeasy is called prohibition, church is another bar but also lovely!

TheMarzipanDildo · 22/02/2022 22:39

@Hamjamthankyoumam

Ahh actually the speakeasy is called prohibition, church is another bar but also lovely!
Yes prohibition is nice.

Which is the bar with the secret room upstairs?

addictedtotheflats · 22/02/2022 22:43

My home town ☺️
Walk the walls, see the clock, walk on the river, grosvenor park, chester museum, amphitheater, cathedral. All of this is easily doable in 3-4 hours. You can walk to everywhere

addictedtotheflats · 22/02/2022 22:46

There is also the roman gardens next to the amphitheater

Original poster
Russell19 · 23/02/2022 04:45

@Damnloginpopup Ive heard something about that, isn't it something like from the walls at midnight? 🤣 I'm going to Google it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Russell19 · 23/02/2022 04:49

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'm going to research them all 😀

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 23/02/2022 05:18

Don’t forget the topless bus tour you can get a combined ticket with the river cruise. Although check the weather.

Damnloginpopup · 23/02/2022 05:34

@Sparklingbrook

Don’t forget the topless bus tour you can get a combined ticket with the river cruise. Although check the weather.
Bit bloody cold for that
Sparklingbrook · 23/02/2022 05:41

@Damnloginpopup i guess so, but it does have an enclosed downstairs bit IIRC. Not done it in a while but it's a good tour.

livvymc · 23/02/2022 10:49

I think pp was meaning the fact you said topless as opposed to open top busGrin

Damnloginpopup · 23/02/2022 14:20

Yep 😁

Sparklingbrook · 23/02/2022 17:12

Oh sorry! It was v early and I’d not had my first coffee.😄 And the weather has been horrible lately.
DS used to always call it the topless bus and it stuck.

Original poster
Russell19 · 23/02/2022 19:11

Really don't think my 70yo mother would be up for going topless 🤣

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread