Chester is the county town of Cheshire, situated on the banks of the River Dee on the Welsh Borders.
Chester, often called the walled city, still has two miles of its city wall remaining and from this can be viewed the city and surrounding countryside. From here it is possible to see the second most photographed clock in the UK, the Victorian Eastgate Clock.
The city is home to a Norman cathedral that has one of the most beautiful monastic cloisters in Europe and is a definite must see for anyone visiting the city. Guided tours are given. There is an entry fee but this is not charged for entry to services.
Chester is full of medieval streets with black and white buildings dating from Victorian times in the half-timber Jacobean design. Also on some buildings near the city centre can be found the city’s famous twisted chimneystacks.
Chester is the only town left in the UK where at midday Town Criers can still be heard. The two town criers are a husband and wife team.
2007 saw the beginning of the Northgate Development project. It will involve the demolition of the market hall, bus station, theatre, car park and leisure centre and in their place will be built a multi-storey car park, bus exchange, performing arts centre, homes, retail space, a flagship department store and a hotel.
There are several shopping areas in Chester, ‘Rows’ or galleries, 2 levels of shops dating from medieval times. Many chain stores are in the city centre and also in nearby retail parks. Two indoor centres are in the cityl, Grosvenor Mall and the Forum plus an indoor market.
Some of the shops to be found in Chester are Keiko, Baby Acorns, erj, Annabella, Ann Harvey, Horsey Chick, Imagination, SoHo, USC Scotts of Chester and Sartori Shirt Co.
The main industries of the city are tourism, retail and financial services. Some of the main employers include Bank of America, Shell, HBOS plc and M&S Money.
The city has its own University and a major hospital, Countess of Chester Hospital, named after Diana, Princess of Wales.
The town has good road links including the M53 from Liverpool, M56 to Manchester and the A55 to North Wales.
Here in Chester there is always accommodation for rent with prices around £495-£525pcm for a l bed flat, £525-£650pcm for a 2 bed flat and £675-£775pcm for a 3 bed house.
There is plenty to see and do in Chester. The city is home to an amphitheatre where the Roman changing of the guard takes place monthly.
Chester has is own Racecourse where racing has taken place for the past 450 years. There are several meeting a year plus evening meetings many with a themed topic.
Alexander’s Jazz Bar situated on the Row is set amongst small independents shops it is a café during the day and by night turns itself into a jazz, comedy and blues bar. Tables with a meal can be booked or just walk in.
Chester Zoo is a large zoo with over 500 different species of animals from the very small to the very large. There is also an adventure playground and many catering facilities. The zoo also runs a ‘be a keeper for the day ‘ scheme.
The city is home to many public houses, some of which date back to medieval times and a few nightclubs, two more should be open within the next eighteen months.
The city has a football, basketball and wheelchair basketball teams and hockey, golf, and American football teams.
On the River Dee in Chester a raft race takes place every July. It is along the river’s banks that several rowing, canoe and kayak clubs can be found.
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