Walking the Walls: A Principal’s Guide to Roman Chester (and how to keep your trainers!)

Upon arrival by train in Chester, I was almost immediately greeted by a young man who obviously thought happy hour was 11 o’clock in the morning. He inquired how much I would sell my trainers to him for. I guess I was not blending in quite as well as I hoped I would be. Maybe it was the Iron Man Mont Tremblant Canada bag that I was lugging around with me that gave it away. I politely, and with as much confidence as I could muster, told him they were not for sale and then immediately put them to good use. I think I cleared the stairs from the railway station three at a time.

I had decided to visit Chester as I had seen it on a TV show earlier that year and was fascinated by the walls. I wanted to walk them myself. I did this multiple times over the two days. They really are worth seeing. To think of all the construction done 2,000 years ago, by hand,  blows my mind.

Chester is famous for having the most complete Roman and Medieval walls anywhere in the UK, most of which are completely intact.  Chester was founded as a huge Roman military base and over time the town grew up around it. The town is still organised around 4 main roads: Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridge Street. 

My "Top Grade" Free Sites in Chester:

• Chester Cathedral: A stunning mix of history.

• The Roman Amphitheatre: Where the soldiers used to train.

• The Rows: Unique two-story shopping (window shopping is free!).

• Grosvenor Park & Roman Gardens: Perfect for a "Permanent Recess" stroll.

• The Eastgate Clock: The second most photographed clock in the UK!

• Chester Market: More incredible food choices

• Chester Castle: Built in 1070. No wonder there's not much left

The Rows are well worth exploring, and are unique to Chester. They consist of  two storey structures that house shops or dwellings. Some of the time you enter them via steps or tunnel like structures. Give yourself plenty of time. I wanted to go into each and every single one as  I found them fascinating, but hadn’t accounted for the time so I was merely a window shopper. 

The architecture in this city is amazing everywhere you look, with streets and buildings dating back hundreds of years, in such good condition.

You are spoiled for choice for places to eat on one street alone, the smells and sites make it impossible to choose what to go for, and that doesn’t include the huge market full of vendors, tempting you with their delicious offerings.

Certainly a place I would like to revisit now that I have more time and can linger, and eat to my heart's content, and possibly splurge and stay at The Chester Grosvenor, (if my retirement pension can afford it !)

---

CALLS TO ACTION 

Class Poll: Where to eat? 

"I was so overwhelmed by the delicious smells of the market and the endless cafes that I’m already planning my 'second helping' visit. If you’ve been to Chester, where is the one place I absolutely must eat next time? Let me know in the comments so I can add it to my retirement bucket list!"