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Chester feels like it’s taken the best bits of Britain and packed them all together. Roman walls, medieval streets and olde-world taverns sit alongside award-winning restaurants and master mixologists that keep the party going all night. With a unique character, history and style, Chester Cathedral was founded in 1541 and now stands as a contemporary cultural hub for this magnificent medieval city. As well as providing the atmospheric backdrop for public art exhibitions and cutting-edge installations, the Cathedral also hosts the Chester Mystery Plays, which are performed in the city every five years.
That sense of ‘modern tradition’ sums up Chester, really. Just take a short walk down Northgate Street and you can be at Storyhouse, the city’s brand new £37m arts centre. The cultural scene here is thriving and there are some brilliant people doing brilliant things; world-class exhibitions curated by Chester Visual Arts and internationally renowned music acts brought here by Roman Candle Promotions. You’ll also find top-quality performance on offer at The Little Theatre too, an authentic and intimate venue sitting just outside the city walls.
There are loads of festivals taking place throughout the year too: the family-friendly Folk Festival and summer performances at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre; Chester Pride celebrating the LGBT+ community, and the popular Literary Festival, which takes place in the autumn.
The restaurant scene is better now than ever before and Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor has recently been awarded Michelin Star status for the 30th consecutive year. The city is also home to Hypha, one of the best plant-based restaurants in the country, and the award-winning Chester Market with its buzzing street food vibe and local craft ales.
For shopping, you’ll find independent shops and family-run businesses packing a punch alongside High Street stores and big-name boutiques. Be sure to browse The Rows, a charming shopping arcade housed in a unique collection of 13th century buildings.
From the old to the new, everything comes together in perfect balance. That’s what makes Chester different.
Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall
Head to the Geronimo Festival 2023 to experience children’s entertainment & activities, music, food stalls, camping, and loads of fun!
Lumen Festival of Lights
The colourful light-art trail of Lumen will visit the town centre and Crew and give audiences the chance to be immersed in art, light and sound.
Cheshire Visitor Guides
Staycation ideas for local holidays in the North
Looking for a staycation holiday in the North of the the UK? There are countless excellent destinations and hotels to choose from. Here are our recommended choices.
Walks in Chester
A round-up of the best walks in Liverpool, including the city centre, its many parks, and over the water by Creative Tourist.
Walks in Macclesfield
Our guide to the parks and natural landscape available in Macclesfield, including rural retreats and hiking routes.
Walks in Crewe
A range of walks, hikes and places to wander around in Crewe, featuring cultural landmarks and routes through rural landscape.
Vintage Shops in the North
A curated selection of the most renowned vintage shops in the North of England, showcasing where to pick-up quirky, one-off collectables.
Attractions in Cheshire
Our guide to the best attractions in the Cheshire, including galleries, theatres, museums and more in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.
Cheshire District Guides
Things to do in Crewe
A selection of cultural venues, rural sights, bars, pubs and eateries, gathered to showcase the highlights of Crewe’s budding local scene.
Things to do in Macclesfield
Sat on the edge of the Peak District National Park, this former silk town combines contemporary culture, food, and drink with spectacular landscapes.
Hotels in Chester
To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to hotels in Chester.
Restaurants in Chester
One of the most beautiful city’s in the North, Chester is a wonderful historic city, with a wealth of high-end restaurants.
Things to do right now
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