What's on in the area

Plenty to see and do

Eastgate Clock

Daily

A symbol of the city and Chester's most photogenic landmark, the Eastgate Clock is built on the original East Gate of Chester's Roman fortress. It was revealed on the occasion of Queen Victoria's 80th birthday in 1899.

Grosvenor Park

Daily

Just outside the city walls and with views of the River Dee, 20-acre Grosvenor Park has a classical 19th-century design. Tree-lined avenues, sweeping lawns and ornamental flowerbeds make for a beautiful, green setting, far from the bustle of Chester's centre.

Tatton Park

Daily

Tatton Park spans 2000 acres, with 1000 acres of deer park and 50 acres of gardens, as well as containing two historic houses. Originally owned by the Egerton family for nearly 400 years, today it is one of the National Trust's most popular attractions, hosting major events throughout the year.

Chester Cathedral

Daily

Chester Cathedral boasts the most complete medieval monastic complex in the UK and records of a church on the current site date back to the early 10th century. Visitors can admire the medieval wood-carved choir stalls.

Grosvenor Museum

Daily

The city-centre Grosvenor Museum is a living monument to Chester's past. View everyday objects from the Roman Fortress of Deva or visit the Roman cemetery, where every tombstone has a tale to tell. Hands-on exhibits include an aqueduct model.

Racing Experience

Daily

Oulton Park offers Grand Prix enthusiasts the opportunity to follow the racing line of their heroes with the Racing Experience tuition course. An action-packed day out climaxes with a spin around the world-famous circuit in a single-seat racing car.

The Rally Experience

Daily

The Rally Experience at Oulton Park will get your adrenaline running on overdrive. With a professional rally driver as your co-driver, you'll discover how to safely push a competition-spec Peugeot 206 or an Escort Cosworth to its limits.

Cheshire Oaks

Daily

The McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village at Cheshire Oaks is the largest in the McArthur Glen chain, offering great discounts of up to 50% on designer clothes. With over 120 shops to choose from and a wealth of eating options, this is a shopaholic's dream day out!

Chester Amphitheatre

Daily

The UK's largest uncovered arena, Chester Amphitheatre has been extensively excavated. Just beyond the city walls, digs have turned up impressive finds, like a Roman glass beaker segment. Pop into the Chester Visitor Centre next-door to find out more.

Blue Planet Aquarium

Daily

Sporting a 71-metre long underwater tunnel, the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port houses 3.5 million litres of water and one of the largest collections of sharks in Europe, including sand tigers (related to the great white sharks), nurse sharks and lemon sharks. The very brave can even arrange to take a swim with them.

Dewa Roman Experience

Daily

Chester's original Dewa fortress is still buried under the bustle of the modern-day city. The Dewa Roman Experience brings to life the sights, smells and sounds of Roman life with hands-on exhibits and a reconstructed Roman street.

Lyme Park

Daily

Set within a magnificent deer park, Lyme was a Tudor house transformed in the 18th century into a huge Italiante palace by Venetian architect Leoni. Its splendid facade was featured in the BBC production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Chester Zoo

Daily

Chester Zoo is situated just two miles north of the city centre. Spacious near-natural surroundings are home to 7000 animals, many of which are endangered.

Cheese Rolling Championships

24 Feb 2009 (annual)

As a preview to the annual Chester Food and Drink Festival, the city hosts its famous Cheese Rolling Championships. Locals cheer on the Cheshire team as they take on their Lancashire and Stilton rivals over a creative obstacle course.

Chester Food and Drink Festival

Mar 2009 (annual)

Local produce has been a buzzword for a long time now and Chester's Food and Drink Festival is all about great regional food, with tastings in delis and off-licences and restaurant deals throughout the city.

Town Crier Proclamations

May - Aug 2009; not Mon or Sun (annual)

Town criers tend to be seen as eccentric and extrovert characters these days. Grab your chance to see one at work at the Cross in Chester, dressed in a colourful period costume, as the city maintains this ancient way of broadcasting the news.

May Festival at Chester Racecourse

May 2009 (annual)

Opening the new season, the May meeting at Chester Racecourse is held over three days - Totesport Cup Day on Wednesday, Ladies Day on Thursday and City Day on Friday, with six races each day.

Chester Folk Festival

May 2009 (annual)

Chester celebrates its folk heritage with concerts, dances, workshops, displays, crafts and children's events, featuring many local and national folk performers. The fun takes place in the village of Kelsall, about eight miles from the city.

St Werburgh's Festival

Jun 2009 (annual)

St Werburgh's Festival is Chester's new annual event which celebrates the anniversary of a Mercian princess who became a nun, then Abbess. Viking re-enactments, art exhibitions, pilgrimage walks, open-air theatre performances, lectures and parades are all part of the fun.

Dragon Boat Festival

Jun 2009 (annual)

Paddles splash and drums roll as the people of Chester compete on the River Dee at the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Crowds gather on the riverbank to cheer them on.

Midsummer Watch Parade

Jun 2009 (annual)

Chester's spectacular Midsummer Watch Parade, with its giants, beasts, animated tableaux and costumed characters, is one of the oldest and most colourful in the country. Dating from 1498, it features the unique Chester family of giants.

Deva Triathlon

Jun 2009 (annual)

Hardcore athletes slog it out in this Olympic distance triathlon in Chester, which consists of a gruelling 1500-metre swim, a 40-kilometre cycle and a 10K run.

July Meeting at Chester Racecourse

Jul 2009 (annual)

The July meeting at Chester Racecourse, held over two days, is one of the most popular racing events of the summer. For many it is the perfect opportunity to combine horse racing with the delights of shopping and eating out in the city.

Chester Summer Music Festival

Jul 2009 (annual)

The annual Chester Summer Music Festival brings an impressive line-up to a town not normally on the tour circuit, presenting international names from the worlds of classical, pop and jazz.

Tatton Park Flower Show

Jul 2009 (annual)

Launched in 1999, the Tatton Park Flower Show is held at the lovely National Trust property in Cheshire, and attracts over 80,000 visitors every year.

Nantwich International Cheese Show

Jul 2009 (annual)

The Nantwich International Cheese Show, held every year at Cheshire showground, Dorfold Hall, is generally accepted as the definitive cheese show in the British Isles.

Family Fun Day

Aug 2009 (annual)

Chester Racecourse offers a Family Fun Day, attracting more than 38,000 people each year. Stilt walkers, face painters, bouncy castles, jazz bands and more keep visitors amused, while a full card of six races is run throughout the afternoon.

Creamfields

Aug 2009 (annual)

Kick back and dance al fresco as Creamfields makes the August bank holiday well worth the wait. The UK's top dance festival is back and celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2008 at the Daresbury Estate in Halton.

The Dee Festival

Sep 2009 (annual)

Taking place towards the end of the season, The Dee Festival at Chester Racecourse features plenty of exciting action throughout the afternoon, allowing race-goers to experience the thrill of racing with all the charm of the country.

Up the Wall

Oct 2009 (annual)

Walk along Chester's city walls and witness a massive light and sound art-fest. A musical milk float, an interactive video projection, a swarm of insect lanterns, a world of wool and more feature in this year's Up the Wall promenade.