Would you be happy with a weekend in Chester for 30th Birthday?

[pinkfruits9]

I’ve got 3 weeks to arrange something for DP’s 30th, I was going to book Portugal for 4 nights but I don’t want to risk it due to the numbers going up/possible quarantine when coming back. I’ve been looking at weekends away in this country instead. No further than around 3 hours from Newcastle. We have been to places like York a few times, Edinburgh, Leeds, Glasgow (he works there). Would like somewhere with plenty of nice pubs, things to do, shops, restaurants (suitable for a fussy vegetarian, myself). Chester popped into my mind after hearing someone mention it, would this be nice for a 30th birthday, or would you be disappointed? Any other suggestions on somewhere a bit different no further than 3 hours from Newcastle with plenty to do would be greatly appreciated!

Yes, wouldn't necessarily go for the grosvenor.

The Mill Hotel is very nice. Not sure if they still do the canal restaurant.
Park nice
Riverside too.

www.millhotel.com/

I wouldn't choose Liverpool! My heart would sink if that was presented to me as a birthday treat

Are you my DP? He has a pathological hatred of anything to do with Liverpool, with the possible exception of the Beatles.

I'm going to take myself to Liverpool one of these days. I've been wanting to visit the Tate since before it was opened.

Mill has premier double rooms on fifth floor with jacuzzi in room and bath. On canalside. That would be my choice. I used to go to the spa there and think it is lovely. Such a room is cheaper than the grovenor, food better and very central..

Though do check that facilities are open and update on covid

It depends on what you like. I live not far from Chester and used to visit often, but I prefer Liverpool. Chester's quite small really

chesters small yes vut u cant do the zoo and shops on a day visit-its the bigget zoo in europe

Chester is lovely, and there’s certainly lots of pubs. If somebody wanted to take me for a birthday weekend I’d be chuffed.

You know best.
Liverpool is good ,or was the last time we were there. Very nice round Albert dock.
I am having a biggie in less than a month. Much older. We were to go to Croatia but covid prevented .( covid broke the night before I was definite on hotel so thankfully hadn't booked,) We both enjoy Lanzarote so it was toyed about and the family asked if I was going to go. I decided not given we both have health issues.
So Jersey it will be. Its not where I want but it was that or Cork direction.
You know best and I hope you get something you both love.

Chester is a nice weekend break.
Restaurants - the chefs table, la fattoria (authentic Italian) upstairs at the grill, siam tappenyaki, Et Alia and the architect for Sunday lunch
Outside the city centre there's sticky walnut which is fab Sunday roast also!
Zoo is super close to Cheshire oaks too if you wanted to do both.
There are lovely cocktail bars around chester too and some chain ones like alchemist and the botanist. The park is beautiful, the history is fab- walk on the walls etc Roman history and the river is so nice you can hire a little boat or a pedalo.
In this current climate I would book a city break rather than risk losing money etc and having no where to go. Have a great time. 😊

I had a lockdown 30th birthday! Anything escaping the house would be grand, I think he will probably view it that way too! Chester is lovely 😊

We plan to fly to Belfast once everythi

Personally I'd love it but (a) I like Chester and (b) living south of the Thames it'd be somewhere a bit special.

Hebden Bridge. Indie shops, cafes, canal, walks, quite eclectic, social community. Love it.

I wouldn't choose Liverpool! My heart would sink if that was presented to me as a birthday treat. Charming...feel sorry for whoever buys you gifts.

Liverpool is a great place to visit (or live!) - absolutely loads to do. The Don McCullin exhibition is coming to the Tate next week (I went when it was on in London and it was fantastic). Lots of brilliant and good value places to eat. If you can afford it, Hope Street Hotel is pretty plush! Otherwise lots of places to stay. I would agree with a PP that you should pick one, plenty to do in both so don't want to rush around for two days.

Is this thread a plant by the Cheshire Tourist Board? It’s making me really want to go there! Sounds great OP.

Chester is beautiful, but small, and I think it will all be seen after a day. So a weekend might be a bit much there.

I live in Liverpool and love my City, but if you're doing the Zoo, which takes a day up, then it would be better to stay in Chester and go on the train to Liverpool. Unless you want to go clubbing/late pubs. I think Chester is a bit more special for a milestone birthday.

Have a think about what you want to do and why he didn't like London.

My partner and I had a weekend in Chester a couple of years ago and loved it (31 & 34). There's a wee area called Hoole, the other side of the train station, which has pretty cool bars and restaurants. Enjoy!

I used to live in Chester, it's gorgeous. ♥️ Chester Zoo is one of the best I've been too, I much prefer it to London Zoo.

Liverpool is great too but I wouldn't do them both the same weekend, it'd be far too rushed.

Feeling homesick now!

Chester's great. That said, given where you are, I'd bob over to York or go north to Edinburgh.

What about Harrogate? I absolutely love it there (i'm 29), it's relaxed with a nice park to walk through and nice pubs and restaurants.