Things to do in Chester

Chester Zoo is a real must-see during your visit to the city, but there are plenty of other fantastic activities to keep you entertained. From three challenging escape rooms, including one of the UK’s first virtual-reality escape rooms, to the largest trampoline park in the country and more, there’ll never be a dull moment during your stay. 

One of the best-preserved medieval cities in the UK, Chester’s Roman walls contain a treasure trove of sights and attractions, including the city’s cathedral, the Eastgate Clock and of course the walls themselves.

Recounting Chester’s incredible history isn’t a difficult task! Blessed with Roman heritage and some incredibly well-maintained medieval structures, the city is home to some excellent museums, alongside theatres that showcase captivating performances throughout the year.

If it’s theatre, stand-up comedy, live bands, West End musicals or opera you’re after, Chester has it all. The Storyhouse is an excellent new addition to the city’s entertainment scene, while Alexander’s Live has weekly comedy acts and the Live Rooms host some of the best up-and-coming bands and tribute acts in the country. 

Powered by a large student population, Chester’s nightlife really comes alive after dark, with various venues open well into the next morning, plus dozens of cool cocktail bars, historic pubs and quirky backstreet drinking dens. So there’s bound to be a bar stool with your name on it somewhere in the city

We could have written a book about Chester’s restaurant and café scene – they’re that good! The city is awash with superb restaurants serving up everything from Brazilian steak to French snails, while there are also cafés dedicated to serving up the perfect flat white and virtually any flavour of pancake you could imagine.

A unique retail experience, Chester blends medieval shopping arcades with miles of cobbled streets littered with a variety of shops and high-end shopping centres offering big names and all the usual favourites.

There’s no denying that Chester Zoo is the city’s star attraction. With 15,000 animals and over 500 species, this is a dream day out for all the family, complete with an array of enclosures, educational talks and dining spots.

With two international airports less than 30 miles away and some excellent road and rail networks, plus four park and ride venues around the city, getting in and out of Chester couldn’t be easier.