This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Chester.
Built on the banks of the River Dee, this walled city was once a major player in Roman Britannia. Today, tourists flock from all over the world to walk the walls that surround the old medieval city as well as to visit the fourteenth-century cathedral and the Roman ruins that can be found amongst its parks and green spaces. With black and white Tudor buildings and its unusual elevated rows of shops and restaurants, serene river and canal, as well as the many tea shops and boutiques that can be found throughout the City, Chester is a nice place to spend a couple of days. It is especially lively during the summer months, when many visitors come to attend the various horse-racing events held at the Chester Racecourse, one of England’s more charming venues for the sport.
Hostels in Chester are centrally placed, especially as it is a small city and easily walkable. Hostelers should find it easy enough to walk or catch a bus to all of the city’s bars, cafes, and historical sites from wherever they choose to stay. Locals will no doubt inform you that if any Welshman is found within the old city walls after midnight, any Englishman is legally allowed to shoot him with a bow and arrow but don’t try it to see if this ancient law still stands!
While Chester has some decent pubs, some in prime spots along the river and canal (Telford’s Warehouse being one of the best spots in town for a range of beers and live music), and some outdoor theatrical events during the summer, travelers in search of nightlife and the bright lights of the city should most probably head to nearby Manchester or Liverpool.
Situated close to the English/Welsh border, Chester has long been seen as a gateway city to Wales and the North of England as well as a good central resting point for those traveling into Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and the Midlands. Whether traveling by road, train, or bus, Chester should prove easily accessible for all.
Written by local enthusiast for Chester hostels
Laura T
