What to do in Chester

shazspice

Im going to Chester next month for a few nights and staying in the travelodge. I was wondering if anyone can recommened what to do and where to eat etc.

Im was also wondering if there are buses to cheshire oaks and chester zoo might possibly go here and also is their a bowling alley near by?

Thanks in advance

greenface

bowling alley on the greyhound retail park also one a cheshire oaks buses run well between chester and ellesmere port passin chester zoo (about half way between the two) check the blue planet aquarium cheshire oaks too good day if raining but not as good as zoo.
Greenacres Farm Park in Deeside if you have nippers or just a walk along the River Dee

JulieM

If you like walking, you can walk the city walls, an hours leisurely walk will complete the circuit and there are some lovely views. There's also the cathedral and the 'rows', unusual old shops fronts on two levels.

neilbond007

the zoo!
went there on first dirty weekend with the misses.

fififoofoo

Chester has a good selection of restaurants - all the usual chains too. A good meal can be had at Harkers' (Pub) Telfords (Pub), Piccolinos and Chez Joules to mention a few. Cheshire Oaks will keep you occupied for a few hours and is open until 8 or 9pm midweek. Chester Zoo is fab - if there is more than one of you going try and get some discount vouchers before you go - on here - or pick some up at the Cheshire Oaks visitors bit. Also register at Oakes Visitors centre to get extra discounts at certain stores for the day. Bowling and Cinema next door to the Oaks too.
Have a good trip!

greenface

neilbond007 wrote: »

the zoo!
went there on first dirty weekend with the misses.

take mine to visit the rest of her family:laugh: :laugh:

omelette451

JulieM wrote: »

If you like walking, you can walk the city walls, an hours leisurely walk will complete the circuit and there are some lovely views. There's also the cathedral and the 'rows', unusual old shops fronts on two levels.

I second this. The Grosvenor Museum is good too (and if you're into Roman history it's a must!), as is the walk by the river and in the park. For lunch grab a picnic and eat it on the riverfront by the boats; if it's raining go to spud-u-like as it's probably the only place in the world where you can eat in a real Roman hypocaust.

There are plenty of buses to both Cheshire Oaks and the zoo. They leave from the Bus Exchange which is behind the Town Hall (which is opposite the cathedral). If the travelodge is where I think it is (I live near there so have no reason to know about hotels!) the bus stops are right on the doorstep. Be careful though as some of the buses go to the pedestrian entrance at the back of the zoo so you may not realise when you need to get off; the driver will happily tell you if you ask him though.

Blue264

Head for the Tourist Information office and pick up one of their free pub guide maps for the city centre. Even if you're not a drinker, it's full of good info and my favourite pub is Watergates, an 11th century vault that serves great food and has a roof terrace.

http://watergateschester.com/default.aspx

http://www.chestertourist.com/index.htm

Or, as you're visiting England's 'most haunted city', you could try a ghost walk http://www.hauntedchester.com/tours.htm

emmilou

I never knew watergates had a roof terrace! You live and learn

How about cheshire ice cream farm and candle workshops? Not sure about buses though

boombap

There's an evening ghost tour which is quite good fun. I'm the last person to normally go in for all that ghost nonsense but nonetheless the tour is very good. It's basically a history tour with gore Visit the tourist office near the Town Hall for more details.

Cheshire Oaks is very accessible by bus and, as another member has mentioned, there's a bowling alley next to that if you like bowling. There is also a 'Blue Planet Aquarium' nearby too if you like fishy business.

The racing season will be starting soon and Chester Races is highly regarded if you like that sort of thing.

Nearby is Beeston which has a historic castle and the surrounding countryside is beautiful and there are some lovely country pubs. Try 'The Pheasant' at Burwardsley for good food and outstanding views.

If you find that you've 'done' Chester and still have some spare time then remember that Liverpool is only about 40 mins away on the train, as is Manchester and there are also the delights of North Wales on the doorstep.

Hope you have a good time,

S (in Chester )

Edit - just seen Emmilou's post - both the Ice Cream Farm and the Candle Factory are in Burwardsley near The Pheasant so they could be combined on teh same trip.

jonesMUFCforever

You can get to the zoo using Merseyrail trains from Chester station.