Rising up round 50 miles from Chester, I’ve been visiting my complete life, from faculty journeys to household days out with my very own daughter – as a result of from Roman historical past to the fabulous zoo, there’s a lot to find in Chester with youngsters.
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It’s a beautiful place simply to walk round – on a sunny day, wandering previous the beautiful black and white medieval buildings or alongside town partitions is difficult to beat, but it surely’s simply pretty much as good should you’re visiting Chester within the rain with youngsters, with some unbelievable household sights.
So from free days out to historical past, household trails and a gloriously grotesque probability to find historical past by means of the ages, I’ve picked out my high issues to do in Chester with youngsters.
Deva Roman Discovery Centre
As soon as the positioning of the most important Roman fortress in Britain, with the most important army amphitheatre simply exterior town itself, Chester is an ideal place to go to with youngsters who’re fascinated by the Romans.
And among the best locations to carry this to life is on the Deva Roman Discovery Centre, beforehand referred to as Dewa Roman Expertise, which reopened in summer season 2023.
On an authentic Roman web site, you’ll be able to see real artefacts, get arms on and be taught extra tales in regards to the empire, with excursions led by Roman characters for an added family-friendly component.
After boarding a ship to journey to the Roman port, you’ll be assigned and identification and occupation on the fortress, earlier than studying about day by day life, from houses to hygiene, meals to preventing, in addition to studying extra about a number of the gladiators who battled it out within the amphitheatre.
There’s additionally the prospect to hitch solider faculty on Saturdays and on Wednesdays throughout faculty holidays, marching by means of the streets of Chester to see extra Roman sights and practising battle formations alongside the best way.
Take a look at our household time out at Dewa Roman Expertise, because the Deva Roman Discovery Centre was then identified – whereas it’s been renovated earlier than reopening, it provides you a style of what’s in retailer.
Roman Amphitheatre
Constructed within the first century CE, Chester’s Roman amphitheatre sits simply exterior the positioning of the previous fortress and was the most important in Britain.
The truth is, there have been two stone amphitheatres right here over time, used each for coaching the legions in army techniques and weaponry, but additionally for leisure.
With some similarities to different amphitheatres throughout the empire, together with Pompeii, town’s two arenas have been each totally different from all different British amphitheatres making a go to distinctive once you’re in Chester with youngsters.
Free to enter, lower than half is seen (a lot stays unexcavated) however there’s nonetheless loads to fireside the creativeness, if you wish to check out your personal Gladiator impersonation.
For extra concepts of the finest Roman locations within the UK with youngsters, try my high picks
Chester metropolis partitions
Transfer over York, Chester’s metropolis partitions are the oldest, longest and most full in Britain, with some components courting again practically 2,000 years.
The Romans have been the primary to assemble defensive fortifications, earlier than the Saxons added to them. However it was the Normans who rebuilt them to make a whole circuit round Chester.
Centuries on, you’ll be able to nonetheless stroll all the approach across the metropolis’s historic partitions, trying down onto the streets in addition to out past Chester – and it’s utterly free to take action.
There are 4 fundamental gateways – Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate – but additionally different steps up (together with some accessible ramps) across the metropolis should you simply wish to stroll a part of the partitions.
It’s value understanding that the native council has an ongoing collection of restore and restoration works happening, so you might discover non permanent diversions alongside the route.
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo shouldn’t be solely one of many high family-friendly sights in Chester, but it surely’s identified to be among the best zoos in all the UK, if not the world.
The large zoo is unfold over 125 acres and is house to a formidable 20,000 animals from 400 totally different species. You may see many unique creatures from all world wide, together with endangered Asiatic Lions, gigantic Komodo Dragons, and lots of extra.
There are many interactive displays to maintain youngsters entertained too, comparable to walkthrough hen aviaries and a butterfly home, whereas the academic animal talks and keeper displays are certain to fascinate teenagers and older youngsters.
Households may get pleasure from a lazy river boat journey, rise up shut and private with furry buddies within the petting zoo, tackle the Treetop Problem, and take advantage of one of many zoo’s a number of youngsters’s play areas as nicely.
There is additionally an aquarium at Chester Zoo, in any other case one of many closest choices is the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, round 20 minutes away by automotive
Chester Cathedral
Relationship again to the tenth century, Chester’s lovely Grade I listed Cathedral is a must-visit within the metropolis for guests of all ages.
Throughout a free go to, you’ll be able to wander round and admire the Gothic structure, historic artefacts, and vibrant stained-glass home windows. Or there’s the choice to pay £6 for a one-hour guided tour to listen to fascinating tales from the cathedral’s 1,000+ years of historical past.
However the true spotlight of the cathedral for youthful guests must be Chester Cathedral in LEGO.
The detailed Lego mannequin of the cathedral has been constructed regularly over the previous couple of years and can encompass over 300,000 bricks when it’s full. You may donate £1 so as to add a brick to the mannequin, with proceeds going in the direction of the Chester Cathedral Training Belief Fund.
Chester Fort
One other of the very best free issues to do in Chester with youngsters is a go to to Chester Fort.
Based by William the Conqueror in 1070, Chester Fort was one of many metropolis’s most necessary medieval buildings and served as the executive centre of the county for a whole lot of years.
Little or no of the unique fort nonetheless stays immediately however you’ll be able to go to the Twelfth-century Agricola Tower – the primary stone gateway to the fort – and a small part of the fort partitions.
Step again in time as you discover the tower’s vaulted chapel, with frescoes courting to the Thirteenth century. Then climb to the highest and stroll alongside the fort partitions for superb views over town.
The Fort additionally runs a collection of family-friendly occasions all year long. Their biannual Civil Battle occasion is a selected spotlight, with dwell character actors and immersive occasions bringing the story of the historic fort to life.
Chester’s Roman Backyard
Positioned simply exterior of the traditional metropolis partitions, Chester’s Roman Backyard is a captivating little park constructed in conventional Roman Fashion. It’s a fantastic spot to go to with younger historical past buffs or should you want a little bit of inexperienced house to loosen up in.
Across the gardens, youngsters can seek for Roman constructing fragments and artefacts which have been sourced from excavations all around the metropolis. There are additionally signposts describing every of the ruins, with info and tales in regards to the metropolis throughout Roman instances.
And for little ones who will not be as concerned about Roman historical past, the park remains to be a stunning spot to get pleasure from a peaceable picnic or to provide them an opportunity to stretch their legs away from the busy metropolis streets.
Sick to Dying
Deal with the household to a “sick” time out at certainly one of Chester’s most original and grossest household sights, Sick to Dying.
Appropriate for teenagers of all ages, the weird immersive attraction takes you on a journey by means of the gory historical past of drugs, with dwell character actors and loads of enjoyable interactive displays.
Youngsters can meet the Grim Reaper and Asclepius, the traditional Greek God of drugs, attempt to keep away from lethal illnesses in “Prognosis Alley”, and even carry out an post-mortem on themselves. Plus don’t miss the TURDIS, the one time-travelling rest room in existence!
Sick to Dying manages the difficult feat or being each a enjoyable and academic expertise for all the household. So long as you’re not too squeamish that’s!
Treasure Map Path
For a enjoyable solution to discover Chester on foot, try the Treasure Map Trails to identify a number of the quirky sights of the historic metropolis.
With two totally different choices, you’ll be able to select from one main you round Chester’s Eastgate and amphitheatre or across the Northgate and cathedral.
There are two totally different themes to brighten up the paths as nicely, with one embellished with superheroes and the opposite that includes dinosaurs, superb should you’ve exploring Chester with youthful youngsters.
Theres additionally 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.
The Rows Path
The Rows are a collection of Thirteenth-century black and white half-timbered buildings related by lengthy, lined galleries (walkways) consuming a lot of Chester’s 4 fundamental streets.
Distinctive to town, the Rows are Chester’s most distinguishing characteristic and certainly one of its most photographed landmarks. At the moment, the Rows are stuffed with unbiased outlets and quaint little cafes.
For a enjoyable solution to uncover Chester’s Rows with youngsters, you’ll be able to obtain “The Rows Path.” Created by the Customer Data Centre, the path takes you on a self-guided strolling tour of the historic buildings, with loads of cool info and fascinating tales to wow the little ones with.
Should you’re visiting Chester with teenagers, try the self-guided Haunted Chester audio strolling tour, together with Roman troopers nonetheless stated to face guard, a ghostly monk haunting a spooky passageway and even the story of an official exorcism.
Chester Hop on hop off bus tour
With its compact centre, Chester is a really walkable metropolis, even should you’re visiting with youthful youngsters – however should you’re wanting time or trying to save little legs, there’s a hop on hop off bus tour.
Connecting the railway station and Chester racecourse with town, it additionally stops close to the River Dee for boat excursions, in addition to serving to you get to the cathedral, fort and amphitheatre, together with the Grosvenor Museum.
The entire route takes round one hour and runs each half-hour, however you’ll be able to hop on and off as a lot as you’d like, with 24 or 48-hour tickets.
Boat journey on the River Dee
Hit the water and expertise Chester from a unique perspective with a soothing boat cruise alongside the River Dee.
ChesterBoat gives 30 minute sightseeing cruises alongside the river – good for youthful youngsters with shorter consideration spans.
Boat journeys begin from The Groves and head upstream, underneath Queens Park Suspension Bridge, previous lovely riverside houses, and alongside the banks of Grosvenor Park and Chester Meadows.
As you are taking within the scenic views, an area information will entertain visitors of all ages with participating tales from Chester’s fascinating previous.
Click on right here to ebook tickets with free cancellation, together with reserve now pay later choices
Grosvenor Park
There are many pretty inexperienced areas all throughout Chester, however Grosvenor Park is certainly among the best parks in Chester for teenagers.
Sitting on the banks of the River Dee, there are a great deal of enjoyable issues to see and do within the Grade II listed park for kids and adults.
You may take a stroll across the lovely gardens and admire the award-winning decorative flower beds. And for teenagers who don’t care about prize floral shows, there’s the prospect to run across the expansive lawns, feed the geese on the lake, and benefit from the thrilling youngsters’s play space.
On weekends, public holidays, and college holidays, toddlers and youthful youngsters may take a trip on the park’s well-liked miniature railway.
And the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre has productions together with Shakespeare performs, should you’re visiting Chester with teenagers.
Should you’re on the lookout for extra locations to get outside in Chester with youngsters, the Countess of Chester Nation Park isn’t removed from town, and residential to the Chester Wetland Centre
Grosvenor Museum
The Grosvenor Museum is a free museum in Chester that explores the historical past of town from prehistory to the current day. From historical fossils to Roman tombstones and skeletons, there are many fascinating collections to discover.
To maintain youthful guests engaged, you’ll additionally discover interactive fashions, screens, dressing-up areas, and enjoyable actions.
The museum additionally hosts a collection of enjoyable and academic household pleasant occasions all year long, together with themed craft classes and particular household excursions and trails.
The Ice Cream farm
I’ve tried to focus every thing on this put up on locations to go to in Chester with youngsters (or very shut by) however once you’re lower than half an hour from the world’s largest ice cream parlour, that has to deserve a point out!
The Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall, Cheshire, has a string of ice-cream themed play areas too, together with smooth play, loopy golf, sand and water play, mini quad bikes, play diggers, even the prospect to search out buried treasure.
All topped with a alternative of fifty totally different ice cream flavours, together with vegan choices and sorbets, in addition to quirky decisions together with Jammy Dodger, Popping Sweet, Unicorn and Bakewell Tart.
No shock it was one of the visited free-to-enter sights within the North West.
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Pictures: Deva Roman Discovery Centre, the Rows, Eastgate clock copyright MummyTravels, map courtesy Treasure Map Trails, fundamental photos and all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos
