Cheshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>For those who crave urbane living without all the rush rush rush of the kingpin cities, Chester has a knack for bringing all the fun stuff whilst feeling small, interesting and tranquil. Mooch about its cobbled backstreets of curiosity shops or along its ancient city walls and you’ll quickly fall for its creaky-beamed pubs, burgeoning food scene and lively cultural calendar. And be wary if you’re from across the border… for an ancient bylaw clearly states&nbsp;it’s legal to shoot a Welshman on a Sunday inside the city walls – as long as it’s after nightfall and with a crossbow…</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/424880119_822463529895288_6355617238898995109_n.jpg" alt="The Sticky Walnut interiors" class="wp-image-218" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/424880119_822463529895288_6355617238898995109_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/424880119_822463529895288_6355617238898995109_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/424880119_822463529895288_6355617238898995109_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/424880119_822463529895288_6355617238898995109_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/424880119_822463529895288_6355617238898995109_n-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Sticky Walnut</figcaption></figure>



<p>First stop has to be <a href="https://newchester.market/">Chester Market</a> which reopened in 2022, bringing together a whole hoard of foodie traders under one roof. There are of course the stalls where locals pick up fruit and veg and stock up on fish for the week. But the true joy of the place is in ordering a wine or three and mulling over the steaming pots of curry, the piles of pasta or the French-inspired bakes from <a href="https://www.portatapas.co.uk/">Pastry Pedaleur</a>. </p>



<p>Away from the market, culinary hotspot Porta conjures just-like-in-Madrid tapas, whilst neighbourhood joint, <a href="https://www.stickywalnut.net/)">Sticky Walnut</a>, is helmed by Gary Usher, famed for his crowdfunding campaigns and modern British cooking. <a href="https://www.chefstablechester.co.uk/">Chef’s Table</a> has garnered a reputation for exquisite contemporary cooking led by chef Liam McKay. The same team are also behind <a href="https://www.restaurant28.com/">Twenty Eight</a> sitting next door, an innovative borne-out-of-lockdown space dishing up British-style tapas using produce plucked from <a href="https://www.field28.com/">Growing @ Field 28</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Next up is <a href="https://theforgechester.co.uk/">The Forge</a> in Hotel Indigo, steered by wild produce and sustainability, and <a href="https://www.covino.co.uk">Covino</a> is a must from the people who conjured Manchester success story, Climat, for organic wines and seasonal small plates. As for brunch, beeline for the <a href="https://www.jauntygoat.co.uk/">Jaunty Goat</a> on Northgate Street with an entirely plant-based menu (from coconut-yoghurt-topped granola bowls, to avo on sourdough and revitalising acai bowls) or <a href="https://www.flowercup.co.uk">The Flower Cup</a>, serving vibrant brunch-style dishes beneath trailing plants and swinging pendant lamps. But really, this is just scratching the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1440" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n.jpg" alt="Bookingham Palace Chester CHeshire Book Shop" class="wp-image-302" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/439117964_432406556151726_5856275486318789222_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bookingham Palace</figcaption></figure>



<p>There are moments of real beauty in Chester and you immediately get that feeling on approach to the historic Rows, its 700-year-old half-timbered galleries threading together a collection of independent shops, restaurants and bars, along Watergate Street, Northgate Street, Eastgate Street and Bridge Street. In a space standing on stilts you’ll find <a href="https://www.leelouisechester.co.uk/">Lee Louise</a>, a colourful emporium stacked with gifts, jewellery and tribal-type clothing amid the swirl of incense. <a href="https://chesterboutique.com/">Chester Boutique</a> is the go-to for affordable womenswear, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bookinghampalace_vinylrichie">Bookingham Palace</a> is an intriguing warren of a place, stacked with second-hand books and vinyl.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>As for interiors, the Scandi-style maze of <a href="https://sostrenegrene.com/">Sostrene Green</a> will suck you inside and <a href="https://riverhouseinteriors.com/">Riverhouse Interiors</a> in Handbridge has luxury homeware, gifts and plenty of scented candles.&nbsp;Of course there’s the aforementioned – and brilliant – Chester Market for browsing and stocking up on everything for your pantry. And further out of town is <a href="https://www.mcarthurglen.com/en/outlets/uk/designer-outlet-cheshire-oaks/">Cheshire Oaks</a>, where shoppers go in search of designer gear for cut-down prices.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>So much to choose from. Downward dogs and shavasana from <a href="https://hotpodyoga.com/studios/chester/)">Hotpod Yoga</a>, <a href="https://bodhiyogaandwellness.co.uk/">Bodhi Yoga and Wellness</a> and <a href="https://www.thegoodfoodyogi.co.uk">The Good Food Yogi</a>. <a href="https://www.chesterwellnesscentre.co.uk/">The Chester Wellness Centre</a> specialises in everything er, wellness, from hypnotherapy to pain management and physio, and <a href="https://www.ragefitnesscompany.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rage Fitness Wellbeing Group</a> develops health and fitness programmes to people of all ages. Serene seekers, meanwhile, can wallow in the hot pools and pummelling treatments at <a href="https://www.chestergrosvenor.com/">The Chester Grovesnor</a>, the spa at <a href="https://www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk/spa/">Grovesnor Pulford Hotel</a>, and a little further out, <a href="https://www.cardenpark.co.uk/spa/">Carden Park</a>, where shiny-skinned guests float into its spa garden for glasses of Bolly.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Looking for a party? Easily overlooked by the massive Manchester shindig, <a href="https://www.chesterpride.co.uk/">Chester Pride</a> is still one helluva party, gracing the city streets in August. Same goes for Chester’s twinkly Christmas markets, laid out in the shadow of the cathedral. Other big highlights include the <a href="https://www.chester-races.com/race-days/fixtures/autumnracingfoodanddrinksaturday/">Autumn Racing Food and Drink Weekend</a> at Chester Racecourse, Chester Food and Craft Festival and the <a href="http://(https://www.storyhouse.com/chester-literature-festival/2024-programme/">Chester Literature Festival</a>. <a href="https://www.picturastudios.co.uk/">Pictura Studios</a>, meanwhile, is an arty café with classes for all ages. Feeling hungry? Book a food tour of Chester’s favourite foodie spots with <a href="https://walkingfoodtoursuk.co.uk/a-taste-of-chester/">Walking Food Tours</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Chester_Cathedral_ext_Hamilton_001.jpg" alt="Chester Cathedral" class="wp-image-220" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Chester_Cathedral_ext_Hamilton_001.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Chester_Cathedral_ext_Hamilton_001-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/09/Chester_Cathedral_ext_Hamilton_001-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chester Cathedral</figcaption></figure>



<p>A day at The Roodee, the oldest <a href="https://www.chester-races.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">racecourse</a> in the country, is a dead cert for a good time. Bag tickets during racing season and book in at Parade, its course-side restaurant. The racecourse is also the setting for the gargantuan <a href="https://chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk">Taste Cheshire Food &amp; Drink Festival</a> that runs every year over the Easter weekend with food stalls, cooking demos and culinary workshops. </p>



<p>Back in the heart of the city is <a href="https://chestercathedral.com/">Chester Cathedral</a> and behind-the-scenes tours take you into the bell-ringing chamber and towards the darkly magical corners of the galleries before you can stare at the city from on high in the lookout tower. Next up, walk along the ‘edge of England’, the two-mile city walls left by the Romans and gaze towards the rushing waters of the River Dee, stopping by what was once the Roman port where they would offload mounds of olives and wine. The Amphitheatre is also worth a visit – and it&#8217;s completely free to enter. On the outskirts is <a href="https://www.chesterzoo.org/">Chester Zoo</a> for lovers of animals, great and small.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Where to start? <a href="http://storyhouse.com">Storyhouse</a> is the arty hub in a reimagined Odeon cinema, with a theatre, library, restaurant and cinema. It’s also the creative force behind open air theatre nights on Grosvenor Park where the curtain rises to punters huddling on picnic blankets during the summer months. Explore the rich history of Chester at <a href="https://chester.com/things-to-do/museums-and-galleries-in-chester/">The Grosvenor Museum</a>, walk through the gory past of the <a href="https://bigheritage.co.uk/sick-to-death/">Medieval World at Sick to Death</a>, or sign up to a <a href="https://chestermedievaltours.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chester Medieval Tour</a> with a ‘real’ medieval soldier.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Properties in Chester average £297,638 with sems worth around £316,205, terraced homes averaging £251,455, and flats fetching £183,377.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="534" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Chester.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1175" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Chester.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Chester-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2024/10/Chester-768x513.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Want to be in the thick of it? A three-bed townhouse pitched within Chester&#8217;s City Walls. <a href="https://www.rickittpartnership.co.uk/properties/2-clayton-court-duke-street-chester-cheshire-ch1-1ne-2/">On the market for £625,000.</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Right in the centre, you’ll find <a href="https://www.belong.org.uk/locations/chester/facilities/thenursery">Belong Chester</a> pitched in the centre of a care village, <a href="https://partou.co.uk/nurseries/best-friends-day-nursery/">Best Friends Day Nursery&nbsp;Pre-school</a>, with soft play area and sensory garden and <a href="https://www.elmscot.co.uk/nurseries/chester/">Elmscot Chester Day Nursery</a> set in a former school. Drive out a little further and there’s <a href="https://www.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk/find-a-nursery/chester/">Kids Planet Chester</a>, <a href="https://thespinneydaynursery.co.uk/">The Spinney Day Nursery</a> and <a href="https://www.fircones.net">Fir Cones Day Nursery</a>, among several others.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>You’re spoilt for choice. Wildly popular independents include <a href="https://www.firsschool.net/">The Firs</a> (0 to 11 years), <a href="https://www.kingschester.co.uk/">The King’s School</a> (4 – 18 yrs), <a href="https://www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk/">Abbey Gate College</a> (4 – 18 yrs) and <a href="https://www.thequeensschool.co.uk/">The Queen’s School for girls</a> (4 – 18 yrs) – one of the top performing girls’ schools in the region. Standout primary schools, all of which are rated Outstanding by Ofsted include <a href="https://www.acresfield.cheshire.sch.uk/">Acresfield Academy</a>, <a href="https://www.boughtonheath.cheshire.sch.uk/">Boughton Health Academy</a>, <a href="https://www.christletonprimaryschool.co.uk/">Christleton Primary</a>, <a href="https://www.guildensutton.cheshire.sch.uk/">Guilden Sutton CofE Primary</a>, <a href="https://www.millviewschool.co.uk/">Mill View</a> and <a href="https://stmartinsacademychester.co.uk/">St Martin’s Academy</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>They grow them mighty fine in these parts. None other than James Bond hot totty, Daniel Craig was born in Chester.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Trains take around an hour if you’re nipping across to Manchester or 2 hrs direct to London Euston. Liverpool, meanwhile, is 45 mins on the train and a similar time in the car without traffic.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 300 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Chester

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