Rising up round 50 miles from Chester, I’ve been visiting my complete life, from college 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 children.
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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 the town partitions is tough to beat, but it surely’s simply pretty much as good in the event you’re visiting Chester within the rain with children, with some unbelievable household points of interest.
So from free days out to historical past, household trails and a gloriously ugly likelihood to find historical past by means of the ages, I’ve picked out my high issues to do in Chester with children.
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 the town itself, Chester is an ideal place to go to with children who’re fascinated by the Romans.
And probably the greatest 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 website, you’ll be able to see real artefacts, get fingers on and be taught extra tales concerning the empire, with excursions led by Roman characters for an added family-friendly aspect.
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 combating, in addition to studying extra about among the gladiators who battled it out within the amphitheatre.
There’s additionally the prospect to affix solider college on Saturdays and on Wednesdays throughout college holidays, marching by means of the streets of Chester to see extra Roman sights and practising battle formations alongside the way in which.
Take a look at our household day trip at Dewa Roman Expertise, because the Deva Roman Discovery Centre was then recognized – whereas it’s been renovated earlier than reopening, it offers 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.
In reality, there have been two stone amphitheatres right here over time, used each for coaching the legions in army ways and weaponry, but additionally for leisure.
With some similarities to different amphitheatres throughout the empire, together with Pompeii, the town’s two arenas had been each totally different from all different British amphitheatres making a go to distinctive whenever you’re in Chester with children.
Free to enter, lower than half is seen (a lot stays unexcavated) however there’s nonetheless lots to fireside the creativeness, if you wish to check out your individual Gladiator impersonation.
For extra concepts of the greatest Roman locations within the UK with children, 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 elements relationship again almost 2,000 years.
The Romans had been the primary to assemble defensive fortifications, earlier than the Saxons added to them. However it was the Normans who rebuilt them to make an entire circuit round Chester.
Centuries on, you’ll be able to nonetheless stroll the whole method across the metropolis’s historic partitions, wanting down onto the streets in addition to out past Chester – and it’s fully free to take action.
There are 4 major gateways – Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate – but additionally different steps up (together with some accessible ramps) across the metropolis in the event you simply wish to stroll a part of the partitions.
It’s price figuring out that the native council has an ongoing sequence of restore and restoration works happening, so it’s possible you’ll discover short-term diversions alongside the route.
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo isn’t solely one of many high family-friendly points of interest in Chester, but it surely’s recognized to be probably the greatest zoos in the whole UK, if not the world.
The large zoo is unfold over 125 acres and is residence to a powerful 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 plenty of extra.
There are many interactive displays to maintain children entertained too, reminiscent of walkthrough chook aviaries and a butterfly home, whereas the academic animal talks and keeper displays are positive to fascinate teenagers and older youngsters.
Households also can take pleasure in a lazy river boat journey, rise up shut and private with furry pals 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 properly.
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 automobile
Chester Cathedral
Courting again to the tenth century, Chester’s stunning 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 few years and can include 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 direction of the Chester Cathedral Schooling Belief Fund.
Chester Citadel
One other of the most effective free issues to do in Chester with children is a go to to Chester Citadel.
Based by William the Conqueror in 1070, Chester Citadel was one of many metropolis’s most essential medieval buildings and served as the executive centre of the county for a whole lot of years.
Little or no of the unique fortress nonetheless stays at this time however you’ll be able to go to the Twelfth-century Agricola Tower – the primary stone gateway to the fortress – and a small part of the fortress partitions.
Step again in time as you discover the tower’s vaulted chapel, with frescoes relationship to the Thirteenth century. Then climb to the highest and stroll alongside the fortress partitions for superb views over the town.
The Citadel additionally runs a sequence of family-friendly occasions all year long. Their biannual Civil Conflict occasion is a specific spotlight, with reside character actors and immersive occasions bringing the story of the historic fortress to life.
Chester’s Roman Backyard
Situated simply exterior of the traditional metropolis partitions, Chester’s Roman Backyard is a captivating little park constructed in conventional Roman Model. It’s an awesome spot to go to with younger historical past buffs or in the event you want a little bit of inexperienced house to calm down in.
Across the gardens, children can seek for Roman constructing fragments and artefacts which were sourced from excavations everywhere in the metropolis. There are additionally signposts describing every of the ruins, with data and tales concerning the metropolis throughout Roman instances.
And for little ones who might not be as excited about Roman historical past, the park remains to be a beautiful spot to take pleasure in a peaceable picnic or to provide them an opportunity to stretch their legs away from the busy metropolis streets.
Sick to Loss of life
Deal with the household to a “sick” day trip at considered one of Chester’s most unusual and grossest household points of interest, Sick to Loss of life.
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 reside character actors and loads of enjoyable interactive displays.
Children 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 Loss of life manages the difficult feat or being each a enjoyable and academic expertise for the whole household. So long as you’re not too squeamish that’s!
Treasure Map Path
For a enjoyable option to discover Chester on foot, try the Treasure Map Trails to identify among 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 properly, with one adorned with superheroes and the opposite that includes dinosaurs, very best in the event you’ve exploring Chester with youthful children.
Theres additionally 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.
The Rows Path
The Rows are a sequence of Thirteenth-century black and white half-timbered buildings linked by lengthy, lined galleries (walkways) consuming a lot of Chester’s 4 major streets.
Distinctive to the town, the Rows are Chester’s most distinguishing function and considered one of its most photographed landmarks. At present, the Rows are filled with impartial outlets and quaint little cafes.
For a enjoyable option to uncover Chester’s Rows with children, 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 attention-grabbing tales to wow the little ones with.
When 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 in the event you’re visiting with youthful children – however in the event you’re in need of time or seeking to save little legs, there’s a hop on hop off bus tour.
Connecting the railway station and Chester racecourse with the town, it additionally stops close to the River Dee for boat excursions, in addition to serving to you get to the cathedral, fortress 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 special perspective with a soothing boat cruise alongside the River Dee.
ChesterBoat gives 30 minute sightseeing cruises alongside the river – excellent for youthful youngsters with shorter consideration spans.
Boat journeys begin from The Groves and head upstream, underneath Queens Park Suspension Bridge, previous stunning 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 e-book 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 unquestionably probably the greatest 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 youngsters and adults.
You may take a stroll across the stunning 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 faculty holidays, toddlers and youthful youngsters also can take a trip on the park’s fashionable miniature railway.
And the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre has productions together with Shakespeare performs, in the event you’re visiting Chester with teenagers.
When you’re searching for extra locations to get open air in Chester with children, the Countess of Chester Nation Park isn’t removed from the 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 the town from prehistory to the current day. From historic 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 sequence of enjoyable and academic household pleasant occasions all year long, together with themed craft periods and particular household excursions and trails.
The Ice Cream farm
I’ve tried to focus every part on this publish on locations to go to in Chester with children (or very shut by) however whenever 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 tender 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 selections together with Jammy Dodger, Popping Sweet, Unicorn and Bakewell Tart.
No shock it was one of the vital visited free-to-enter points of interest within the North West.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Photos: Deva Roman Discovery Centre, the Rows, Eastgate clock copyright MummyTravels, map courtesy Treasure Map Trails, major photos and all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos