Romans, racing and the famous Rows in Chester

Chester is an historian’s delight, displaying fine examples of architecture throughout the ages. It began life as a Roman fort, and the impressive medieval walls surrounding the city in part sit upon genuine Roman foundations. Its main shopping streets feature the unique two-tiered black-and-white clad medieval shopping galleries known as ‘The Rows’, which today offer an eclectic range of designer boutiques, restaurants and tearooms.

Chester’s magnificent 1000-year-old Cathedral is free entry and provides a place of tranquillity amid the urban hubbub. The city is also home to Chester Racecourse, the oldest racecourse in England, founded in 1539. Victorian architecture in Chester can be experienced at the beautiful Grosvenor Park beside the River Dee, and for a thorough history lesson there are several open-top bus tours that highlight the city’s heritage.

Chester is 1 hour’s drive from Manchester or 2 hours 30 minutes by train from London.

Content provided by Visit Cheshire