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The very best issues to do in Chester with children


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 children.

Black and white timbered building in Chester - beyond the historic streets, there are lots of things to do in Chester with kids
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It’s a beautiful place simply to walk round – on a sunny day, wandering previous the gorgeous black and white medieval buildings or alongside the town partitions is difficult to beat, however it’s simply pretty much as good in case you’re visiting Chester within the rain with children, with some improbable household sights.

So from free days out to historical past, household trails and a gloriously ugly probability to find historical past by way of the ages, I’ve picked out my prime 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 outdoors the town itself, Chester is an ideal place to go to with children who’re fascinated by the Romans.

And the most effective locations to deliver 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 unique Roman website, you’ll be able to see real artefacts, get palms on and study extra tales in regards to the empire, with excursions led by Roman characters for an added family-friendly component.

A collection of Roman armour and shield at Dewa Roman Experience in Chester - the renamed Deva Roman Discovery Centre is one of the best places to visit in Chester with kids

After boarding a ship to journey to the Roman port, you’ll be assigned and id 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 possibility to hitch solider faculty on Saturdays and on Wednesdays throughout faculty holidays, marching by way of the streets of Chester to see extra Roman sights and practising battle formations alongside the best way.

Try our household day trip 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 outdoors the positioning of the previous fortress and was the most important in Britain.

The truth is, there have been two stone amphitheatres right here through the years, used each for coaching the legions in army techniques and weaponry, but additionally for leisure.

Ruins of the Roman amphitheatre in Chester - one of the best things to do in Chester with kids

With some similarities to different amphitheatres throughout the empire, together with Pompeii, the town’s two arenas have been each totally different from all different British amphitheatres making a go to distinctive if you’re in Chester with children.

Free to enter, lower than half is seen (a lot stays unexcavated) however there’s nonetheless loads to fireplace the creativeness, if you wish to check out your personal Gladiator impersonation.

For extra concepts of the greatest Roman locations within the UK with children, try my prime picks

Chester metropolis partitions 

Transfer over York, Chester’s metropolis partitions are the oldest, longest and most full in Britain, with some elements courting again almost 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.

View down steps and along the old city walls of Chester - the original Roman and medieval walls still encircle the city and you can walk the whole way around Chester with kids

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 foremost gateways – Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate – but additionally different steps up (together with some accessible ramps) across the metropolis in case you simply need to stroll a part of the partitions.

It’s value understanding that the native council has an ongoing collection of restore and restoration works going down, so you might discover non permanent diversions alongside the route.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo shouldn’t be solely one of many prime family-friendly sights in Chester, however it’s identified to be the most effective 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’ll be able to see many unique creatures from all world wide, together with endangered Asiatic Lions, gigantic Komodo Dragons, and plenty of extra.

Baby Indian elephants calves play together at Chester Zoo - one of the best places to visit in Chester with kids

There are many interactive reveals to maintain children entertained too, corresponding to walkthrough hen aviaries and a butterfly home, whereas the tutorial animal talks and keeper shows are positive to fascinate teenagers and older kids.

Households may also take pleasure in a lazy river boat journey, rise up shut and private with furry associates within the petting zoo, tackle the Treetop Problem, and benefit from one of many zoo’s a number of kids’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 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.

Tower of Chester Cathedral seen through the black and white facades of buildings - one of the many things to do in Chester with kids

However the actual 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 encompass over 300,000 bricks when it’s full. You’ll be able to 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 children is a go to to Chester Fort.

Based by William the Conqueror in 1070, Chester Fort was one of many metropolis’s most vital medieval buildings and served as the executive centre of the county for tons of of years. 

The exterior of the Norman castle on the hill in Chester - a visit is one of the great things to do with kids in Chester

Little or no of the unique citadel nonetheless stays at this time however you’ll be able to go to the Twelfth-century Agricola Tower – the primary stone gateway to the citadel – and a small part of the citadel 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 citadel partitions for wonderful views over the town.

The Fort additionally runs a collection of family-friendly occasions all year long. Their biannual Civil Conflict occasion is a specific spotlight, with dwell character actors and immersive occasions bringing the story of the historic citadel to life.

Chester’s Roman Backyard

Situated simply outdoors of the traditional metropolis partitions, Chester’s Roman Backyard is a captivating little park constructed in conventional Roman Fashion. It’s an incredible spot to go to with younger historical past buffs or in case you want a little bit of inexperienced area to chill out in.

Across the gardens, children 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 data and tales in regards to the metropolis throughout Roman instances.  

And for little ones who might not be as occupied with Roman historical past, the park continues to be a stunning spot to take pleasure in a peaceable picnic or to present them an opportunity to stretch their legs away from the busy metropolis streets.

Chester Roman Gardens, the park has lots of historic remains from the city's Roman history - one of the best places to get outdoors in Chester with kids

Sick to Demise

Deal with the household to a “sick” day trip at one among Chester’s most unusual and grossest household sights, Sick to Demise.

Appropriate for youths of all ages, the weird immersive attraction takes you on a journey by way of the gory historical past of drugs, with dwell character actors and loads of enjoyable interactive reveals. 

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 bathroom in existence!

Sick to Demise 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 strategy to discover Chester on foot, try the Treasure Map Trails to identify a number of the quirky sights of the historic metropolis.

One of the Treasure Trail Maps for Chester, with a dinosaur theme - my tips for the best things to do in Chester with kids

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 case you’ve exploring Chester with youthful children.

Theres additionally 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS.

The Rows Path

The Rows are a collection of Thirteenth-century black and white half-timbered buildings linked by lengthy, lined galleries (walkways) consuming a lot of Chester’s 4 foremost streets. 

Distinctive to the town, the Rows are Chester’s most distinguishing characteristic and one among its most photographed landmarks. At present, the Rows are filled with impartial outlets and quaint little cafes.

For a enjoyable strategy to uncover Chester’s Rows with children, you’ll be able to obtain “The Rows Path.” Created by the Customer Info Centre, the path takes you on a self-guided strolling tour of the historic buildings, with loads of cool information and fascinating tales to wow the little ones with.

If you happen to’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.

Black and white buildings of The Rows against a blue sky - there are some fun family trails to explore historic Chester with kids

Chester Hop on hop off bus tour

With its compact centre, Chester is a really walkable metropolis, even in case you’re visiting with youthful children – however in case you’re wanting 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, citadel 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 calming boat cruise alongside the River Dee. 

ChesterBoat provides 30 minute sightseeing cruises alongside the river – excellent for youthful kids with shorter consideration spans.

Stone arches of Grosvenor bridge over the river Dee with houses and church spire in the background - boat trips on the river are one of the fun things to do with kids in Chester

Boat journeys begin from The Groves and head upstream, below Queens Park Suspension Bridge, previous lovely riverside houses, and alongside the banks of Grosvenor Park and Chester Meadows.

As you’re 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 guide 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 the most effective parks in Chester for youths.

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’ll be able to take a stroll across the lovely gardens and admire the award-winning decorative flower beds. And for youths who don’t care about prize floral shows, there’s the possibility to run across the expansive lawns, feed the geese on the lake, and benefit from the thrilling kids’s play space.

On weekends, public holidays, and faculty holidays, toddlers and youthful kids may also take a trip on the park’s fashionable miniature railway.

And the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre has productions together with Shakespeare performs, in case you’re visiting Chester with teenagers.

If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra locations to get outside in Chester with children, the Countess of Chester Nation Park isn’t removed from the town, and residential to the Chester Wetland Centre

The ornate Eastgate clock on the city walls by The Rows - discovering some of the best things to do in Chester with kids

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 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 all the things on this submit on locations to go to in Chester with children (or very shut by) however if 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 mushy play, loopy golf, sand and water play, mini quad bikes, play diggers, even the possibility to seek 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 some of the visited free-to-enter sights within the North West.

Disclosure: This submit incorporates 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, foremost photos and all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos

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