October 1, 2025, 3:13 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Black-and-white timber-framed facades, cobblestone streets, and small shops: In the northwest of England, just about 40 minutes from Liverpool, lies Chester. Medieval charm meets ghost stories and impressive architecture here. Recently, the city was even named the “most beautiful city in the world” in an unofficial ranking. But what’s behind this? TRAVELBOOK took a closer look at the city.
Temperatures are dropping, the sun is barely visible, and the scent of autumn is in the air. While many are fleeing to the south, others are opting for a relaxing city trip. If you love the cozy atmosphere found in other English cities, you should definitely visit Chester. Whether it truly deserves the title of “most beautiful city in the world” is something you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Overview
The Most Beautiful Places in Chester
Chester is located in the county of Cheshire in northwest England, near the Welsh border. The city is about 40 minutes from Liverpool. With around 93,000 residents, the city is quaint and easy to explore on foot. Most attractions are only a few minutes apart, making it possible to discover several highlights in one day.
Chester City Walls
The Chester City Walls are a particularly well-preserved piece of history. Originally built when Chester was a Roman military camp, the city wall protected a city that was one of England’s most important fortresses for centuries. Today, it still encloses large parts of the old town and, with nearly 2,000 years of history, is considered one of the best-preserved city walls in the country according to “travelling-britain“.
If you’re up for a long walk, you can start the circular route at several points, such as the centrally located Eastgate Clock or Northgate. In autumn, colorful leaves line the path, and in some sections, you have a particularly beautiful view of the Shropshire Union Canal.
Eastgate Clock
When it comes to impressive clockworks, England has much more to offer than just Big Ben. In Chester, the Eastgate Clock dominates the cityscape—it’s no secret, but definitely worth a visit. It is located directly on the Eastgate, one of the city’s most famous gates, and is hard to miss when strolling through the old town. It was erected in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. According to the official website of the city, it is even considered the most photographed clock in Britain after Big Ben.
Northgate Street & Bridge Street
As the name suggests, Northgate Street leads directly to Chester’s Northgate. It is one of the four main streets of the old town. Various pubs line the street, many housed in centuries-old timber-framed buildings or even integrated into the city wall. If you’re brave, you can also visit “The Pied Bull.” It is not only the oldest licensed inn in the city but also one of the most famous “haunted pubs.” In Chester, mysterious ghost encounters are often talked about.
Bridge Street, the city’s most famous shopping street, is home to numerous shops, cafes, and traditional pubs. The unique feature: According to “VisitCheshire“, the storefront of Bridge Street is among the oldest in the country. The so-called Chester Rows are two-story shopping arcades that run through all four main streets of the old town.
Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is already impressive from the outside. With red sandstone and intricate towers, the building, completed in the 16th century, still shapes the cityscape today. Inside, visitors can expect detailed stained glass windows and wood carvings. Around the church, there are small gardens with sculptures and seating areas—the fountain in the courtyard with its fish sculpture is particularly striking. Until 2020, there was even a dedicated bird of prey station there. Today, concerts, exhibitions, and various events are regularly held in the cathedral.
Chester Roman Amphitheatre
On the edge of the old town lies the Chester Roman Amphitheatre. Once the largest of its kind in Britain, it was used during Roman times for both military training and gladiator fights. Today, information boards provide insights into the past, and among the wall remnants, the former size of the theater can be well imagined. As “Chester.com” reports, the amphitheater was even the site of Britain’s largest archaeological excavation in 2005. The finds discovered there can be viewed at the nearby Grosvenor Museum.
Traveling to Chester
Chester is easily accessible from Germany. The easiest way is by plane via Manchester or Liverpool, both airports are only about 40 to 50 minutes by train or car from Chester. If you continue with public transport, you can take the train directly from Manchester Airport and be in the old town in about an hour. Regular trains also run from Liverpool to Chester.