Chester on a Budget: 4 Days of Fun

Explore Chester's charm without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Chester, a city in Northwest England, offers a range of affordable activities for budget-conscious travelers. A walk around the city walls and a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre are free, whilst a river cruise and a trip to Chester Zoo can be done at a small fee. Accommodation in hostels and low-cost hotels, combined with cheap eats like fish and chips or a traditional English breakfast, make Chester a great destination for budget travelers.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Chester in a day

  • Begin the day with a hearty breakfast at Hanky Panky Pancakes, a quirky pancake house in the heart of Chester.
  • Explore the city walls, a unique way to see all the major sights of Chester.
  • Take a guided tour of Chester Cathedral, a glorious example of Gothic architecture and rich history.
  • Visit the Grosvenor Museum, showcasing Chester's history from Roman times to present day, including a famous collection of Roman tombstones.
  • Finish the day with dinner at The Botanist, a cozy restaurant with an eclectic menu and live music.
  • Hotel Recommendation: The Dene Hotel, a charming budget-friendly option located just outside the city center.
Day 2

The Best of Roman Chester

  • Start the day with breakfast at The Galley, a cozy cafe near the River Dee.
  • Visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the largest Roman military amphitheatre in Britain.
  • Discover the remains of a Roman bathhouse at Dewa Roman Experience, an interactive museum showcasing Roman life.
  • Walk along the Chester Rows, galleries spanning the city with some surviving from medieval times.
  • Enjoy dinner at La Fattoria, an authentic Italian restaurant with delicious handmade pasta and pizzas.
Day 3

Scenic Chester

  • Begin the day with breakfast at Hanky Panky Pancakes (yes, it's that good).
  • Take a stroll in the picturesque Grosvenor Park, the main park in Chester and filled with greenery and a stunning fountain.
  • Go on a River Dee Cruise, a peaceful and beautiful way to see the sights of Chester from the water.
  • Visit Chester Zoo, a zoo with over 21,000 animals and incredible animal habitats.
  • Finish off the day with dinner at Stile Napoletano, an excellent restaurant with delicious Italian food.
Day 4

Shopping in the City

  • Start the day with breakfast at vegan cafe, The Jaunty Goat.
  • Take a shopping detour in Chester's bustling shops, filled with independent stores, boutiques and well-known high street favorites.
  • Visit Chester Market, where you can find food and craft stalls to get a taste of the local produce.
  • Take the afternoon to relax in the Chester Beer & Wine garden, perfect for a cold brew or glass of wine on a sunny afternoon.
  • FInish off the day with dinner at Joseph Benjamin, a fantastic restaurant serving delicious locally sourced food.
  • Hotel Recommendation: The Belgrave Hotel, a great budget-friendly option located near the city's shopping district.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Chester by plane is to fly into Manchester Airport and then take a direct train to Chester. The journey takes around 45 minutes and trains run frequently throughout the day.

Car

The best way to get to Chester by car is to take the M6 and then the M56 towards Chester. It should take around 45 minutes from Manchester and around 2 hours from London.

Train

The best way to get to Chester by train is to take a direct service from London Euston station. The journey takes around 2 hours and there are several services each day.

Boat

Unfortunately, there is no direct way to get to Chester by boat. However, you can take a ferry to Liverpool and then continue your journey by train or bus as described above.

Bus

The best way to get to Chester by bus is to take a service from Liverpool or Manchester. From Liverpool, you can take the X8 or X2 services which take around 45-60 minutes. From Manchester, you can take the 41 or 42 services which take around 1 hour 45 minutes.

Destination

Chester

If you're looking for a city that manages to successfully blend Roman history and modern charm, then prepare to be 'Chester-bound.' Don't be surprised if you accidentally start speaking in a British accent, though - it happens to the best of us.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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