Photo: Andrew Woodvine (awo… (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Things to do in Chester
Wondering what to do in Chester? This guide lists the area's attractions — zoos, museums, theme parks and more — with distances, so you can plan every day of your trip.
Showing museums, aquariums and attractions with indoor areas — the ones that work whatever the forecast.
🎟️ This weekend near Chester
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 00:00
Wirral Hospice St John's Christmas tree collection & recycli...
Wirral Hospice St John's, Wirral · 11.3 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 12:00
The UK's Wildest Boat and Bar Crawl - Chester
Rooftop Social Club, Chester · 0.2 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 13:00
The UK's Wildest Boat and Bar Crawl (3hrs) - Liverpool
Albert Dock Liverpool, Liverpool · 15.1 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 14:00
BOTTOMLESS PARTY @ The Benidorm Bar, Liverpool
The Benidorm Bar, Liverpool · 15.5 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Aquariums
4.9 mi from Chester
Blue Planet Aquarium
Blue Planet Aquarium is a marine and freshwater aquarium in Little Stanney, Cheshire West and Chester, where you can get up close to one the UK's largest collection of sharks, all...
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29.7 mi from Chester
Sea Life Manchester
Sea Life Manchester is an aquarium in Trafford where you can get close to over 2,000 creatures, from tropical fish to inquisitive sea turtles. Highlights include walking through th...
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Museums & Galleries
0.1 mi from Chester
Sick To Death
Sick To Death is a history of medicine attraction in Chester, guided by the Brother Mortem through a gory, playful journey from the plague-ridden past to modern times. You can expl...
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0.1 mi from Chester
Dewa Roman Experience
Dewa Roman Experience is a museum in Chester that brings Roman history to life, inviting you to discover the hidden history that lies beneath the city. You can explore an exclusive...
0.2 mi from Chester
Grosvenor Museum
The Grosvenor Museum houses collections exploring the history of Chester, its art and silver heritage, and its natural history, with insight into life during the Roman military occ...
0.3 mi from Chester
Cheshire Military Museum
The Cheshire Military Museum, found at Chester Castle in Cheshire West and Chester, tells the story of Cheshire's soldiers from the 17th century to today. Using film archive, inter...
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6.7 mi from Chester
National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port
The National Waterways Museum (NWM) is a transport museum, at Ellesmere Port in the English county of Cheshire, which concentrates on the history of Britain's navigable inland wate... — Wikipedia
8.3 mi from Chester
Hadlow Road Station
Grade II listed railway station in Willaston, Cheshire West and Chester, United Kingdom
8.8 mi from Chester
Stretton Water Mill
Stretton Water Mill is a well-preserved demonstration water-powered corn mill set in the Cheshire countryside, first recorded in 1351 and worked by millers until 1959. A miller-led...
8.8 mi from Chester
Wrexham and District Society of Model Engineers
10.5 mi from Chester
Stori Brymbo
Stori Brymbo is a community-led visitor attraction in Brymbo, Wrexham, offering a 300 million year journey in the making. Discover the 300 million year old secrets of Brymbo Fossil...
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10.5 mi from Chester
Mold Library
Mold Library is run by Gwella, the organisation managing Flintshire's libraries, leisure centres and heritage services. As part of this network, it offers access to the libraries'...
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10.8 mi from Chester
Wrexham Museum
The Football Museum of Wales and Wrexham Museum is a national football and local history museum under development in Wrexham, Wales. It is a redevelopment of Wrexham County Borough... — Wikipedia
10.8 mi from Chester
Wrexham Archives
Wrexham Library is the main public library of Wrexham, Wales. Located in the city centre, adjacent to Llwyn Isaf, it opened in 1972, superseding the old carnegie library on Queen's... — Wikipedia
12.2 mi from Chester
Erddig Hall
Erddig is a country house and estate in the community of Marchwiel, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Wrexham, Wales. It is centred on a country house which dates principally... — Wikipedia
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12.2 mi from Chester
Port Sunlight Museum
Port Sunlight Museum sits within the historic model village built in 1888 for workers at the Lever Brothers' soap factory, telling the story of its founder William Lever and the co...
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12.7 mi from Chester
Sudley House
Sudley House is a historic house in Aigburth, Liverpool, England. Built in 1824 and much modified in the 1880s, it is now a museum and art gallery which contains the collection of... — Wikipedia
12.9 mi from Chester
Catalyst Museum
Catalyst Museum in Halton, Cheshire, is an interactive science discovery centre and accredited museum housed in a Grade II listed building. You can explore hands-on galleries inclu...
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13.1 mi from Chester
Strawberry Field
Strawberry Field is a Liverpool visitor attraction built around the site that inspired John Lennon's song 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. You can explore an interactive exhibition cov...
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13.7 mi from Chester
Norton Priory
Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, on the edge of Runcorn, is the most excavated monastic site in Europe, with medieval ruins, a 12th century undercroft and a museum displaying thousa...
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Theme Parks
25 mi from Chester
Farmer Ted's Farm Park
Farmer Ted's Farm Park is a family theme park in Great Altcar, West Lancashire, Merseyside, known as the UK's only Shaun the Sheep attraction. You can meet Shaun and Bitzer, explor...
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Water Parks
26.6 mi from Chester
SC2 Rhyl
SC2 Rhyl is a water park offering flume rides, a relaxed paddling option, and an outdoor beach-style pool with a Paradise slide and water guns. Younger visitors can explore the Jur...
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Zoos & Wildlife
2.5 mi from Chester
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a large conservation zoo set across 130 acres near Chester, home to over 30,000 animals from more than 500 species. You can explore indoor habitats including the UK'...
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2.5 mi from Chester
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a large wildlife attraction covering 130 acres, home to over 30,000 animals from more than 500 species, including a walkthrough lemur area and the UK's largest tropi...
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23.3 mi from Chester
Wild Wings Birds of Prey
Wild Wings Birds of Prey is a small zoo based in Risley, Warrington, in the North West of England, home to owls, hawks, falcons and eagles including Logan, Koda and Shannara, along...
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Where to stay near Chester
Places to stay within easy reach of these days out.
More around Chester
Itineraries
- A weekend in Chester: an accessible itinerary · 2 days
- A weekend in Chester with the kids · 2 days
- A weekend in Chester · 2 days
Haunted Britain
Getting your bearings
Chester makes a good base for a few days out because there is plenty to do within the city and a wider spread of museums, castles and stately homes across Cheshire and beyond. Many of the attractions listed for the area sit in other towns, including Liverpool and Stoke-on-Trent, so plan around clusters rather than trying to tick everything off at once. Opening times, prices and travel times aren't given here, so check them directly before you set off.
The standout attractions by type
Family favourites. Chester Zoo is the obvious headline for families, and it is right in Chester itself. If your children are happiest around animals, Smithills Open Farm in Lancashire and Heaton Park Animal Centre in Cheshire are other options. For something livelier, the Funfair in Liverpool is listed as a theme park.
Rainy-day options. Museums are this area's strong suit when the weather turns. In Chester you have the Grosvenor Museum and Sick To Death, and both are handy for a wet afternoon in the city. Further afield, there are:
- Liverpool Beatles Museum and The Hardmans' House in Liverpool
- V&A Wedgwood Collection and The Dudson Museum in Stoke-on-Trent
- Museum of Transport Greater Manchester and Winding House in Cheshire
- Amazing Novelty-Orium & Mechanical Museum in Merseyside
- Brampton Museum in Staffordshire, Tanat Valley Light Railway Museum in Shropshire and Wireless in Wales in Conwy
Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent is another wet-weather choice, since you'll be getting soaked anyway.
Outdoors. Helsby Hillfort, cared for by the National Trust, suits a day of fresh air. Trafford Watersports Centre in Cheshire is the pick if you want to get on the water rather than look at it.
Heritage. Castles and grand houses are well represented. Chester Castle is the closest to hand. Further out you'll find Chirk Castle, Whittington Castle, Holt Castle Ruins, Old Hawarden Castle and Halston Hall. For stately homes there are Eaton Hall and Soughton Hall, and Erddig Hall is a National Trust property.
Grouping them into a sensible day
The simplest approach is to pair attractions that share a town, so you spend your time visiting rather than driving.
- A Chester city day: Chester Zoo takes the bulk of the day. On a separate day, combine the Grosvenor Museum, Sick To Death and Chester Castle, which are all in Chester.
- A Stoke-on-Trent day: The V&A Wedgwood Collection and The Dudson Museum sit naturally together, with Waterworld as an option if the children need to let off steam afterwards.
- A Liverpool day: Liverpool Beatles Museum and The Hardmans' House make a good pairing for adults, while the Funfair gives younger visitors something to look forward to.
- A heritage day: Choose one or two castles or stately homes, such as Chirk Castle and Erddig Hall. Check the distances between them first rather than assuming they're close together.
Sick To Death has a name that hints at a darker theme, so it's worth checking whether it suits younger children before you book.
Where to eat
Several places to eat in the area hold a 5-star food hygiene rating, which is a reassuring starting point. Pubs and inns make up most of the list: The Mount Inn, The Cambridge, Cock O'Barton and Grace Arms. For a quick coffee stop, Starbucks is also rated 5 stars. Locations and menus aren't listed here, so check where each one is in relation to your day's plans, and book ahead if you're eating as a group.
Turning it into a short break
There are 354 places to stay on BritStays in this region, so you have a good choice whatever your budget or group size. For a two-night break, spend one full day in Chester with the zoo or the city museums and castle. Use the second day for a heritage outing or a trip to Liverpool or Stoke-on-Trent. A third night lets you add an outdoor day at Helsby Hillfort or Trafford Watersports Centre without rushing.
Practical tips before you go
- Check opening days and times for every attraction, especially smaller museums, before you travel.
- Keep one indoor option in reserve, such as the Grosvenor Museum, in case the weather changes.
- Group attractions by town to cut down on travel.
- Look up how far your stay is from the places you most want to visit before you book it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main things to do in Chester itself?
Within Chester you can visit Chester Zoo, the Grosvenor Museum, Sick To Death and Chester Castle.
Is there a zoo near Chester?
Yes. Chester Zoo is in Chester. Other animal attractions in the wider area include Smithills Open Farm in Lancashire and Heaton Park Animal Centre in Cheshire.
What can I do in Chester on a rainy day?
In Chester itself, try the Grosvenor Museum and Sick To Death. Further afield there are museums such as the Liverpool Beatles Museum in Liverpool and the V&A Wedgwood Collection in Stoke-on-Trent, plus Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent.
Which National Trust places are in the area?
Erddig Hall and Helsby Hillfort are both National Trust properties in the area.
Where can I eat with a good hygiene rating?
The Mount Inn, The Cambridge, Cock O'Barton, Grace Arms and Starbucks all hold 5-star food hygiene ratings.
How many places are there to stay in the Chester region?
There are 354 places to stay listed on BritStays in this region.
More ways to explore
Not booked yet? See the best places to stay in Chester.