The City Walls, Chester Cathedral and the Roman Amphitheatre; once you’ve ticked off the main tourist attractions in the city, you might be in the mood to go in search of something a little ‘off piste’.
Stray off the beaten track of visitor pursuits, and you can find a few alternative ideas for fun in Cheshire’s county town. That is what this article is dedicated to; we’ve picked out five unusual activity options you can consider for your itinerary.
Chester Ghost Tour
Managed and operated by the passionate people at the Guild of Ghost Hunters, the Chester Ghost Tour captures the paranormal possibilities of what is recognised as one of the UK’s most haunted cities.
The tours run in the evening – from 7.30pm – so if you have young children, it might require them to stay up past their normal bedtime. And it isn’t just for kids’ enjoyment, either. There is plenty of historical insight into the darker side of Roman, medieval and Civil War history.
On the 90-minute walkaround, you can expect to take in plague pits, spooky pubs and worrying walkways. The excellent guides will set the tone, hooking in their audience and making you jump at the slightest unexpected sight or movement! Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £9 for kids.
Sick to Death
When it comes to fascinating historical insight and storytelling, there are few matches for Sick to Death. Located within St Michael’s Church in the city centre, this is a museum that is dedicated to the history of disease in medieval times. A grim topic? Yes. Boring? Absolutely not!
Prepare yourself and your group for a mix of interesting artefacts and sometimes shocking tales of a bygone era. Sick to Death will explain the importance of autopsies in our understanding of the human body, reveal the reason why plague doctors wore masks, and if you need to visit the restroom, you’ll experience TURDIS; a famous time-travelling toilet.
The Crocky Trail
Time to get active? The Crocky Trail is an adrenaline-packed destination on the outskirts of Chester, featuring tunnels, swings, slides and a whole lot of fun for the family.
Along the Crocky Trail mile, you’ll pass through the lush greenery of the Cheshire countryside and cross the Crocky Stream. Making your way around with the help of ropes and bridges, it’s an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs and make use of the attraction’s picnic area to break up the day. In fair weather, The Crocky Trail makes a claim to be one of the best family activities in the Chester area.
The Chester Imp & the cobweb picture at the cathedral
How about an unusual attraction within one of Chester’s most popular visitor destinations? At Chester Cathedral, you will find a set of cobweb pictures that come together to make up a distinctive piece of artwork.
Made from real collected cobwebs, these canvases depict religious imagery such as Jesus and the Virgin Mary. This style of painting originated in the monasteries and convents of 16th-century Austria.
Then there is the Chester Imp. This small, mysterious stone carving of a chained demonic figure sits high up on the left side of the nave inside the cathedral. Adding to the mystery, its exact age and original purpose remain unknown. Take a look for yourself!
Chester’s Secret Rows
We’ll end with an unusual attraction that may have been staring you in the face, but you didn’t realise it. The Chester Rows are the double-decker shopping galleries which line the city centre streets.
You might not know that these raised covered walkways on the first floor date back to medieval times. And beneath the timber-framed buildings in the undercrofts are vaulted, stone-lined crypts dating back to the 13th century. They were built by wealthy merchants to store valuable goods securely.
Around 20 of the crypts are still accessible – and you can see them with the permission of the businesses that operate in the building, or on a walking tour.