Chester, the county town of Cheshire, is well known for its historic attractions and draws visitors from far and wide. Some of these enjoy leisurely walks along the ancient city walls or prefer to spend time exploring the iconic cathedral that started life as the Benedictine Abbey in the early eleventh century. Others may enjoy sampling the range of culinary offerings while soaking up Chester’s vibrant nightlife. With its range of attractions and things to do, Chester has proven to be a city that favours everyone, which makes it the ideal place for a ladies’ day out.
But how do you choose what to see and do when you and your group of girlfriends descend on Chester? Some of you may be keen to explore the historic side of the town while others prefer a little retail therapy in some of the most beautiful shopping streets in the area. To make sure that you don’t miss some of the vital elements of a trip to this popular county town, here is our idea of a great ladies’ day out in Chester.
A Whistle-stop Tour of Chester
One day is definitely not sufficient time to see all the important bits of Chester, especially if your group of ladies is more intent on catching up on the gossip than seeing the sights. But the Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus allows you the best of both worlds: you can view the magnificent scenery while staying in touch with all the talk of the latest goings on.
The bus departs from the City Road end of Station Road and follows a set route with 12 stops along the way, each either adjacent to or within a short walk from something of historic, cultural or scenic value. You can choose to get off at any or all of these stops and explore the area further, or you can simply stay put for the duration of the tour until the bus arrives back in Station Road. The decision depends to a large degree on which stops appeal to you and your friends and, of course, how long you can go without a coffee break!
A great option for stretching your legs is to break your journey at Handbridge, stop 9 on the route. From here, you can take a stroll through Edgars Field Park which skirts the River Dee and houses the Minerva Rock Shrine, considered to be the last remaining rock cut shrine in England, before venturing across the Old Dee Bridge towards Bridge Gate on the other side of the river. The bridge affords great views of the twisty River Dee as it winds its way from Snowdonia in Wales to the Wirral Peninsula. You’ll pass several coffee shops on the way, but why not try Café at the Walls in Lower Bridge Street, with its unique location adjacent to the old city walls, before re-joining the bus a bit further up the street, fortified, re-energised and ready to finish your sightseeing tour.
Retail Therapy and a Little Culture
Now that you’ve had a chance to see the popular tourist attractions in Chester and earn a little along the way, it’s time to do what all ladies love to do….shop! But first, why not inject a little culture into your day in Chester? There are several art galleries with a mix of local and contemporary art collections that are definitely worth viewing.
Watergate Street is the place to be, with the Watergate Street Gallery, Julie Colclough Gallery, Alison Bradley Gallery and Baron Fine Art all within a stone’s throw of each other. And once you’ve sated your artistic hunger, there are plenty of cute boutiques and niche shops with huge window shopping potential.
A short walk up Watergate Street towards the centre of Chester brings you to The Rows. This architectural attraction lines the four main streets of the town centre – Eastgate, Bridge Street, Watergate and part of Northgate – creating a unique first-floor walkway where the old and the new meet in an intriguing mix of independent and brand-name stores, jewellers, bars and eateries. The area brims with history, and even if your credit card stays firmly locked away, you can’t help but marvel at the unique aspects of this popular cathedral city.
No ladies’ day out would be complete without at least one adult refreshment break. Whether this takes the form of a posh High Tea at The Chester Grosvenor or a chance to sip cocktails and bubbly drinks at The Botanist, is entirely up to you and your girls. At the very least, it’s a chance to rest your legs, relax and rehash the events of the day, and ultimately make that all important decision: is there time for one more cocktail?
You may choose to wind things up after an early evening drink, stay for a leisurely meal or grab a takeaway before hitting the road. There are options around every corner and you’re bound to find something that suits everyone’s taste and budget. As the saying goes, though, all good things come to an end and your day out in Chester must too. You’ll leave with lots of memories of your day spent here and, more importantly, lots more exciting ideas for your next ladies day out in Chester.
Getting Around Chester
Being an old city, Chester does have its limitations during busy seasons. Chester park & ride is a great option for day trippers, whilst parking in Chester should be planned ahead of time if you are visiting during peak season and events. Our minibus taxis in Chester are perfect for a group of ladies on a day out in Chester and can be booked from your hotel or location.
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