The Don'ts of Visiting Chester, England

If you are visiting Liverpool or Manchester one of the best day trips or a place to spend the weekend is Chester, England. This cute walled town has been populated since the Romans and the remnants of their walls can still be found as well as the city's current wall that you can enjoy. The arcades and the cross are wonderful things to see too.
Filmed in Chester, England
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @woltersworld
#chester #visitengland #england
Copyright Mark Wolters 2025
Grab some Wolters World travel gear www.woltersworl...
Help Us Keep Make More Honest Travel Videos: / woltersworld
Hey There Fellow Travelers! Thank you for watching our honest travel vlogs from all over this wonderful world. If you would like to get in contact with us please follow us & send us a message via our social media channels below. Also, if you like our travel videos please feel free to share them with other fellow travelers.
You can find us all over the internet:
Travel Advice & Destinations: / woltersworld
Food Travel Videos: / woltersworldeats
Travel Tips: / woltersworldshorts
Business Education: / professorwolters
Tiktok: / woltersworld
Instagram: / woltersworld
Jocelyn's Instagram: / jocelynwoltersworld
Facebook: / woltersworld
Twitter: / woltersworld
Linkedin: / wolters-world-travel-c...

[@TheSunlight74]

I've lived in Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester - and now finally Chester, and it's the first place I've truly loved.

[@jonathanparry9505]

Wolter, I am from Chester and live here, thank you for your positive review of our city and I hope you enjoyed your trip. Best wishes

[@HCMCDrives]

As a former local... some practical tips... use the park & ride, a bus service from outside the city (Broughton Heath) which allows cheap car parking and then a 10 minute bus into the city. Enjoy the many places close by as Wolter mentioned, North Wales (Conwy Castle, Bala, Llandudno), also Beeston Castle, just a 20 minutes drive east.

[@davidpowell5437]

The big Don't for Chester is Don't go on a race weekend (unless you are going to the races!). The place gets rammed. Super rammed. This can detract from other pleasures.

[@stevencarr4002]

It is interesting to watch the people on race days, but you are correct that it is super rammed! Chester racecourse is the oldest racecourse still being used in the world.

[@Todd361]

I forgot the races were on and drove down St Martin's way to get to Handbridge... It was worse that travelling through Delhi in rush hour.

[@sebfischer7830]

My word! What a lovely positive spin on my home town. Glad you enjoyed it. It's very easy when you live here to take so much for granted and see only the negatives. I'm surprised though you missed out the marvellous walks and views of the river Dee (especially from the walls), it's weir and old bridge. Probably my favourite bit of town!

[@joshlunt7827]

Chester Zoo is great ❤ I've been with my parents and with secondary (high) school

[@iaincphotography6051]

Well done that man. The City I grew up in, I think I see more of it now when I visit than I did when I lived there, but it is a great city even if it is looking tired in places.

[@grapesodatravels]

Brits here! We visited Chester last summer and loved it. Advice from us is to use the park and ride. Super easy and reasonably priced. Thanks for sharing N&Nx

[@AymanTravelTransport]

Chester is always the go-to city for people in North Wales, as my old classmates from there often go to Chester for university, parties or shopping. I particularly love how it's small compared to Liverpool or Manchester, but at the same time massive compared to virtually any town or city in North Wales. In the latter, only nearby Wrexham gets close to Chester's size, while all the other towns and cities (next largest are Colwyn Bay, Rhyl, Llandudno, Prestatyn and Bangor) are less than half that size.

[@robt2778]

I took a couple of Americans friends around Chester a few years ago, and the found the whole city completely amazing. But the thing that really blew their minds in to literal incomprehension was the fact that a local coffee shop which is part of a national chai (Pret a Manger) has in it's basement opposite the customer toilets a store room where the 2000 year old remains of columns of Roman building can be seen. The remains are usually locked behind closed doors, but if the cafe isn't too busy and you ask nicely the staff my be persuaded to let you see them.

[@davidpowell5437]

@@robt2778 We went for a guided walk led by a couple of legionaries we encountered outside the Town Hall! This was one of the places they showed us. They were very knowledgeable guides - Recommended if still available (our visit was pre covid).

[@paulliversage4479]

NEW BRIGHTON!.....first time ive heard it mentioned on any of there videos😂...im working at new brighton station watching this

[@theshiftybloke4672]

Wolter is back in Chester?! Damn, well I've now missed you twice

[@simonstadin]

I've visited Chester a few times since a friend of mine used to live there. It is one of my favourite cities not just in England, but in the whole of UK

[@xenon9158]

Being from Chester and having watched you for years this was a surreal video! We think Chester is much nicer in the summer especially if you can catch the horse racing. Nice video!

[@Todd361]

So crazy to see you where I live. I've followed your videos for Vegas, NY, California, Florida for my US trips. Some extras: 1 - Go down the river and over the Old Dee Bridge to see the city and walls from the Handbridge. 2 - Grosvenor Park is to the east of the Amphitheatres and is really nice to place to walk around. 3 - Don't forget to look up! - The buildings are so intricate and impressive you end up not taking it all in. 4 - You can use this as your base for Liverpool - 30 mins on the Mersey rail from the station. If you want a calmer / safer place to crash this is a good option. 5 - Talk to people - Chester was voted the most-welcoming city in the UK. We locals love seeing the centre vibrant with visitors and you'll get tons of advice on where to eat / stay / visit.

[@2icelollys1goat]

Brilliant video Wolter, as usual. You're a real master at this stuff.

[@TheTriumfAnt]

I recently visited Chester on my UK trip. Also Liverpool and Caernarfon. Fantastic area.

[@brwombat]

Great video, Mark! I only spent a few hours in Chester on a trip with a singing group I was in back on 2015 -- we got to perform a concert in Chester Cathedral, which is just breathtaking. I don't understand the few commenters here saying the city has nothing to offer. This Yank absolutely loved Chester, and I wish I'd had more time there. Maybe someday I'll be back!

[@historyinfo-bites]

Nice to have a few glimpses of the Eastgate Clock, said to be the second most photographed clock in Britain after the face of the clock tower at Westminster (Big Ben). But no filming of the wonderful, historic Old Dee Bridge or the remarkable Grosvenor Bridge over the River Dee. They are both worth having a look at if you are in Chester for a few hours.

[@olivertaylor9755]

It’s very strange seeing your hometown on Wolter’s World!

[@anita_R]

The boot pub is amazing and that's were my grandparents met in 1934

[@Steve14ps]

I was in The Boot last week, cheap beer

[@anita_R]

@Steve14ps it's a great pub. Shame the Falcon is closed.

[@Steve14ps]

@@anita_R Been to The Falcon many times as well. Sadly now closed, they had a rule of no mobile phones which was rigidly enforced, while it may sound good in some ways, showing customers the door left us with an empty pub. Brewery need to accept that this is the 21st century

[@michaelwright3170]

The Boot Inn was known as the Boot out in my youth the managers didn't inke young people going in.

[@anita_R]

@@Steve14ps the Internet is rubbish in there anyway.

[@Kingravenclaw84]

Mark, Thank you for the content. Your videos are very informative and entertaining. Best Wishes and Great Travels!

[@woltersworld]

@@Kingravenclaw84 thanks!

[@paulberry2884]

My home city and I haven't been there in decades. Now I want to go.

[@martinruffell4077]

My wife went to University there. She didnt have a great experience for a number of reasons, but i loved visiting and enough time has passed that we do both want to head back because it is beautiful.

[@Hizzard7]

I dare say anyone can have bad experiences in any 🎓 city in any country. Don't let it put you off.

[@chiefrocka8604]

Share

[@davidhamm7909]

I love Chester. I’ve been there a few times (I’m British and live in the UK BTW).

[@francesgill8621]

I'll be there in April. Yay!

[@JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers]

We recently stayed in Chester for 5 nights. Very affordable, very walkable, great restaurants & pubs and very accessible via trains. “Don’t forget to include Chester on your UK trip” You won’t be disappointed. ~Cara ❤ Thanks Mark.

[@pavelow235]

Yes, Chester is worth a visit combined with visiting Liverpool nearby.

[@R_Jackson]

Also, don't miss an opportunity to have a nice afternoon tea in the Grosvenor. 😋🍓

[@ianp1986]

My hometown 🙂 We have a church that only has a clock on 3 of the 4 sides of its tower. The one that doesn’t have a face points towards Wales. I believe that’s where the phrase “wouldn’t give them the time of day” originated

[@CarolWoosey-ck2rg]

Love Chester - go often ,only 38 minutes from Liverpool- the train is free for me as its merseytravel and I have my pass so makes the day cheaper- 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@MrOvershoot]

My late wife worked at an auctioneers on the Row's on Watergate Street. On her 40th birthday I took her for a weekend to the Grosvenor hotel, we had a wonderful time.

[@markjakeway2035]

The uneven steps were actually sometimes built on purpose in some old places, quite a few castles and older richer houses in Scotland would have them. The idea is that while the inhabitants would know about them but anyone attempting to create 'mischief', for example a burglar or perhaps even trying to do harm to the head of the house, would fall over climbing up and give warning.

[@cameronhill7769]

I live just the other side of Liverpool, and quite often visit Chester on a day trip or mini break. Don't forget to pack a raincoat. North West England can be pretty rainy any time of the year. If you like spending time in nature on your travels, don't miss out on a half-day trip to Delamere forest. There are also cycle trails and a go ape here, if that's your kind of thing. The Welsh Clwydian range of hills are also nearby, but not as easily accessible by public transport. Don't miss out on tea and scones, or afternoon tea at one of the posh hotels - some are quite reasonable priced. If you go into Liverpool, don't worry about what happened in August 2024, or what you hear from those people outside Liverpool who think that British tabloid newspapers are trustworthy news sources. Things have been very much back to normal in Liverpool since the end of August 2024. The city centre is as safe as that of any other city of circa 400k people in the UK, and south Liverpool is generally very safe.

[@adidzis]

Hi, thanks a lot for sharing your opinion about Chester. I hope to visit UK in this year so the information you've given seems very useful for a traveller like me. :)

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

Forgot to mention the riverside is a nice walk or boat ride. Also there is a horse racing course just by the city centre if you like to have a gamble. There is also a castle. Also worth a visit, all be it about 10miles away is Beeston Castle - a great view from the top of the steep hill on a clear day.

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, awesome video

[@TouristTravel4K]

Great video! Thanks for the beautiful footage and amazing travel vibes. Greetings from wonderful Prague! 😊🇨🇿❤❤

[@philippejueni3182]

Yes great video, and greeting from Switzerland 🇨🇭🙌

[@TouristTravel4K]

@ 🤗🤗🇨🇿🇨🇿

[@charmainelawrence9580]

Mark, love your channel. Keep up the great work. Any chance you can do some videos on Paris, Lisbon, Rome and Barcelona? I know there are some existing videos but would love to see more recent ones. 😊

[@charlotteb6519]

"Pretend it's 1995, talk to each other!" My kind of place. 😅

[@michaeljohn1978]

It's just been voted the Most Welcoming Place in the UK. Unless you're from Wrexham, in which case it's bow and arrow time

[@Pokjhbvcf]

Where was this vote? Not seen that

[@chrysalis4126]

Lol.

[@pollyduron674]

Black sheep coffee is SO good! I do want to visit there 💙

[@davidjackson2580]

I was in Chester today with my wife. We are from Marple; about 45 miles away, but Chester is somewhere we really like visiting. Even when, like us, you have been there a hundred times (pretty much literally), it is still a fascinating place. The history is really well preserved, while still being a living, working, city. It is much more interesting than most cities in the region and It's hard to ever become tired of the place.

[@sjustus7]

I worked at a nearby RAF base in Wales for three months in 1991 and stayed in Chester. It's everything you said it is - don't miss it if you're in the area!

[@DianeWilliams-c4e]

We have a trip planned from New York to Chester specifically to see the zoo.

[@chiefrocka8604]

@@DianeWilliams-c4e plese don’t it’s relic from bad times gawking at vulnerable animals for money given to god knows who Please don’t go

[@DianeWilliams-c4e]

@ the Chester zoo is part of the species survival plan for several animals. Their breeding will keep the species alive while they’re natural habitat is destroyed. It’s horrible, but it is the reality we live in.

[@michaeljohn1978]

@chiefrocka8604 You've just described every zoo. Maybe you work for the Wrexham tourist board, if that can even be a job

[@Seandunc69]

@@DianeWilliams-c4e Chester Zoo is actively involved in Conservation and one of the better zoos. Enjoy.

[@Steve14ps]

@@Seandunc69 Whether or not you like zoos, Chester Zoo has helped to save endangered species

[@magnusbruce4051]

As someone from Chester, I wouldn't say it's inexpensive! Maybe relative to Manchester or London, sure. But a lot of the students at the university live in Liverpool and commute because it's cheaper. Actually that reminds me of something you possibly didn't know about the trains to Liverpool - *don't* get a return ticket from Chester to Liverpool, get a day saver ticket. The return ticket is about £9, the day saver is about £6 and gives unlimited travel on Merseyrail trains for a day so you can go to Liverpool, Southport, Ormskirk and the Wirral for less than the cost of a return to Liverpool. The only catch is that you can't use the day saver between 6:30am and 9:30am Monday-Friday. So just avoid the early morning commuter services! EDIT: Also one other thing to note for Merseyrail - you MUST have a physical ticket. You cannot buy the ticket on your phone and use a QR code on the screen like you can on every other train operator, or you will get fined for not having a valid ticket.

[@matthewbowman800]

It's about the history of Chester Zoo as well.

[@kmansfield7733]

Chester has a beautiful racecourse, the Roodeye, where the Romans held chariot races and horse racing takes place today.

[@andiroo62]

@@kmansfield7733 well, in Roman times and up to the 14th century the Roodeye was a major port so that would have been difficult 😉. It silted up, a disaster for the city’s economy, and was eventually used for horse racing.

[@kmansfield7733]

@@andiroo62 Thank you for the comment. You clearly know a great deal about Chester's history. I was probably told a tall tale when I was a child. But I have a theory. The River Dee being tidal, racing horses on the Roodeye may have been possible when the tide was out. Parkgate, down the Dee , was also a significant port in early times. Further down the river at West Kirby, racehorses are to this day galloped on the sandy beach when the tide is out. The legendary triple Grand National winner Red Rum regularly galloped on the beach at Southport on the Mersey on the other side of the Wirral Peninsular. The Mersey suffers from silting and must be continuously dredged for Liverpool to remain a viable port.

[@anita_R]

My home

[@griswald7156]

I was at the cinema in the 60s the film showing was seven brides for seven brothers !

[@stephenwraight4184]

Chester is a city not a town this makes a difference in the uk

[@anpj2006]

Chester is well worth a visit. Up to the Industrial Revolution and the rise of Liverpool and Manchester, Chester was the main city in north west England. There’s all the Roman history and there’s also English civil war history. There’s a tower on the wall called King Charles Tower, named after Charles I, with legend having it HM was in said tower watching his army defeated at the battle of Rowton Moor just outside Chester. Two other points, 1. Recommend a WW1 themed pub called The Albion Inn just off the wall, 2. How many cities have a horse racing course within walking distance of the cities centre? Chester does. Highly recommend a visit to Chester Races.

[@PastaSauce.]

You missed how many amazing restaurants and places to eat Chester has.

[@mikecarroll35]

Surprised you didn't mention Deva Stadium as it holds a very unique distinction of being located in two different countries (pitch is entirely in Wales but part of the stands and the club offices are in England).

[@anita_R]

My nan was housekeeper at the zoo and my dad worked as boss of birds of prey and my 2 brothers too.

[@billyskoda6839]

Chester Zoo... what to say.. we were there when the gates opened, we were there when they were closing and we still had not seen it all...

[@Steve14ps]

That's why some take out membership, acts as a season ticket

[@robinterrycomposer103]

Hi Mark, is Chester going to take over from York as your favourite English city?

[@anita_R]

Have a look for the Cheshire car in the wall next to record house. And in the cathedral there's a secret mouse just ask to see it.

[@taybak8446]

Hi Wolter, when are you visiting Seoul? I'm a US educated middle aged Korean male and if you do come, I'll show you around. I love your videos.

[@joshlunt7827]

Chester is a city

[@peterbrown1012]

Chester Zoo is not actually in Chester but in Upton a few miles outside. Buses do go from Chester right up to the ticket office though. If you go over the Handbridge into the Handbridge, on the right is a park, this was a quarry where the Romans got the stone to build Chester, there is a shrine to Merniva in its original position. Chester has the oldest racecourse in the world still in use, where it is was once the Roman port for Chester.

[@Todd361]

Upton is a borough of Chester. It's very much part of the city.

[@peterbrown1012]

@Todd361 the Borough of Chester no longer exists, it is now part of Cheshire West and Chester.

[@Todd361]

​@ It's part of the City of Chester in every practical and literal sense. Replace the word Borough with Suburb if you like. Chester West is how the whole county is divided up for local elections. Winsford and Northwich is no more part of Chester than Nantwich and Whitchurch are part of Crewe.

[@peterbrown1012]

@Todd361 of course they are not, they are part of Cheshire East. Cheshire County Council was abolished along with the borough councils and replaced with Cheshire West and Chester, and Cheshire East.

[@Todd361]

@peterbrown1012 Upton is part of Chester. Take it or leave it, no one who actually lives here is going to agree with you. Arguing over the finer points of council boundaries isn't my idea of fun.

[@polsh23]

First time I’ve ever heard Chester described as cheap/affordable 😂

[@moonkeele]

If you meet someone from York be sure to start an argument about which city has the longest walls. :)

[@iaincphotography6051]

Chester has the safest, and more complete. Also more to see, and not such a rip off.

[@stevevv]

The walls are circular so dont miss out on doing the full circle and end up by the river, its also only 21minutes to Crewe

[@briwire138]

Would a tourist really want to go to Crewe, they would see more in Warrington.😀

[@iaincphotography6051]

Crewe used to have a great Speedway team years back.

[@jakeyzealous4907]

Like the video Mark (so right on poor mobile signal!) but as a local I wouldn’t really agree that Chester is budget friendly. Sure it’s cheaper than London, but it’s not any cheaper than Manchester or other UK cities

[@ausflygirl3430]

Great video, did not no a thing about Chester. I would add it to me next UK trip

[@listerofsmeg884]

*city I like how you're nonplussed that our old cities are just normal cities that people live and work in. Wouldn't recommend the zoo though, way too expensive.

[@griswald7156]

There’s always a good electric guitar player somewhere in town….i hope you like Beatles toons though..(ive been loads of times )

[@Steve14ps]

His name is Andy, went to school with my brother

[@griswald7156]

@ ill say hello to Andy next time im in town…could you ask him to do “here comes the sun “ please..

[@griswald7156]

@ what’s your brothers name ?

[@jdarlington8841]

i always just miss this guy anytime im not in chester 💀

[@johnsmith-zf1fd]

Mark, I've loved watching your videos for over a decade. You are one of the most entertaining and genuine personalities on the entirety of youtube. This is why you have over 1 million subs. You are unmatched in your field. I'm just worried that unless you start making some progress with weight loss, you won't be around in 10 years to make videos for us. I took a lot of persuading, but the only way I finally got lean after 20 years of trying was the whole food plant based diet. Might be worth giving it a try brother.

[@mrdth1987]

Don't go on a date there and spend over £70 on a girl that's just not interested in you. Yeah I'm bitter but still it's a nice city.

[@billmmckelvie5188]

Or these are the mistakes, I made! Only kidding, I trust you've had a good time!

[@weejackrussell]

Of course Chester was Roman, Chester (Castrum) means camp/encampment/fort in Latin. Any town or city in the UK that has Chester or Caster in its name has Roman roots. he didn't mention that Chester is on Wales' doorstep, so is a good place to stop off en route to North Wales. Also a good stopping place to and from Holyhead for the ferry to Ireland.

[@iaincphotography6051]

Also know as Deva.

[@capwhittaker]

*Prettiest cities

[@jontalbot1]

Another ‘guide’ to Chester which completely fails to mention its most distinct feature: it’s the best city in the world to see Arts and Crafts architecture. This guy says he is looking at the architecture but he does not know what he is looking at.

[@justinsworld417]

🇪🇬🐪🌴

[@DMPSounds]

Please do one of Wrexham , not far , quite lot of history and some football to talk about 😊 PS, love your videos

[@michaeljohn1978]

Get out of this Chester video with that filth lol

[@PastaSauce.]

Maybe a tour of Queens Park

[@Pokjhbvcf]

Where are you going there? Liquid and envy 😂

[@ProfessorDarkAcademia]

Number one rule, despite the large quantity of men in Chester, do not call it Manchester … entirely different place. Likewise, many people in Manchester are in fact not men.

[@stevencarr4002]

Why go to London when you can go to Chester? Chester is the most southern city in England that still counts as Northern England.

[@daffyduk77]

Great video, thanks, the western side of England is typically wetter & often windier than the east. But the climate is often milder. So the northwest is the wettest, for instance Manchester. That's because of the prevailing west winds, also (in west Scotland) the Gulf Stream

[@Stoggler]

0:08 ahem, city, not a town… 😅

[@woltersworld]

I sometimes speak American instead of English... that must be it ;)

[@michaeljohn1978]

@@woltersworld But just to be awkward we call it the Town Hall instead of the City Hall, like you call it in the video lol

[@woltersworld]

@michaeljohn1978 dang it 😀

[@Muskoviterebel]

Chester's a city, not a town

[@autoclearanceuk7191]

Don`t go in winter.

[@QWERTYOP80]

Don’t call them Welsh…

[@ecurewitz]

Cool. Never knew this place existed

[@michaeljohn1978]

It's Daniel Craig's hometown, but not sure he's been back since becoming Bond lol

[@ecurewitz]

@ good to know, thanks

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@ecurewitz He was born at West Cheshire Hospital (Chester). His Dad had a pub called the Ring o Bells in Frodsham near to Chester.

[@danrobrish3664]

Next up: The don'ts of visiting Chester, Pennsylvania!

[@woltersworld]

A comparitive essay on the differences between Chester, England, Chester Pennsylvania, and Chester Cheeta... next on Wolters World :)

[@liloulux2739]

This morning I witnessed a verbal assault on American travelers (because of Trump and his politics). You might want to start take a view precautions. Please stay safe. 💖

[@MimiYouyu]

Scaremongering folk is not a positive move.

[@boomshanka8743]

He is in England, not Afghanistan or Chicago.

[@AndrewJLeslie]

Unlikely to have occurred in the UK.

[@2icelollys1goat]

@@liloulux2739 I've never heard anything so ridiculous. The English don't care enough about politics - and certainly not those of another country....even North America.

[@jbeiii]

@@liloulux2739 where specifically did this occur? As far as the comment this doesn’t occur in the UK, I disagree. On our trip, I was accosted by people preaching their political opinions on more than one occasion and more than a couple people who were more polite but also felt the need to discuss US politics with me.

[@jm3363]

I have never ever heard of someone specifically going to Chester; ever! What next, Worcestershire. Perhaps go down to Weymouth in Dorset and the surrounding area.

[@michaeljohn1978]

You must have really faulty KZbin then

[@raskinman]

But it doesn't appear that nice at all. Surely mountains and seas make a place attractive - this is just where people live.

[@michaeljohn1978]

@@raskinman Shit comment with obligatory shit KZbin handle

[@willfungusman8666]

Don't #1: don't visit Chester 😅

[@mercury6765]

1) Don’t visit Chester. Job done.

[@Beno2-of1gi]

Why on earth would an American tourist want to visit Chester? It is a dump. It is a tiny place worth very little to do. I am just weirded out that someone would go to all the effort of traveling from America and then go to the most obscure tiny no mans land that nobody should ever have the pain of having to visit.

[@MrKorton]

A dump!? What a negative comment! For this icelandic tourist my main purpose for a daytrip there from Liverpool was the zoo at first. But of course I checked out the center first and walked along the city walls, black and white victorian revival houses, the cathedral etc.. The castle and the river Dee were luvly as well. It was all really nice! Sure a daytrip is enough (or an overnight stay at most) Don't believe this self loathing englishman ;)

[@mrdth1987]

It's a different perspective. I have a mate who was born and raised in Tuscany, perhaps the most beautiful part of Italy, and she fell in love with Chester and North Wales. She was even looking to buy a house there. The only thing that stopped her was Brexit. She wasn't sure how it would affect Europeans living in Britain.

[@mrdth1987]

@@MrKorton, saying anything nice about anything that is English is a crime in England lol

[@leedsalex]

Agreed, Chesterfield is much better, they should visit there instead.

[@michaeljohn1978]

@@MrKorton Probably just Wrexham trash who thinks everything should be about Wrexham because of a couple of Hollywood dudes buying a scummy football team