Excursion Roman city of chester with lunch tour at Liverpool

Chester occupies a strategic site on the River Dee close to the Welsh border and was a place of significance even before the Romans arrived. The city has a wealth of archaeological and architectural treasures beautifully preserved from the time of the Roman occupation, when a large harbour, as Chester was then coastal, and its border position made it one of the finest outposts of the Roman Empire.

The Romans established a large settlement here around AD 70 and called it Deva after the Celtic name for the river. It was around this time that the splendid city walls were originally built, encircling the city for 3.2 kms (2 miles) and remaining the most complete ancient walls in Britain to date. The 20^th Legion (Valeria Victrix) were stationed here and according to some historians, were given the task of supressing the uprising led by the warrior queen, Boudica.

Your guided tour of this ancient Roman city, during which you can walk along ancient walls and see Roman remains, will give you a unique prospective of Chester.

Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre at Chester is the largest ever to be excavated in Britain. It was used in Roman times for military training and entertainment, seating up to 7,000 spectators. Excavations have revealed the remains of two stone-built amphitheatres on this site.

Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, medieval archers and elegant Georgian aristocracy, enjoying panoramic views of the city from the Roman walls. You’ll see the Water Tower that is no longer next to the water, the King Charles Tower and the renowned Chester Cathedral with its famous cloisters, regarded as the finest in England.

Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral is an imposing structure of weathered red sandstone and is the most complete medieval monastic complex in Britain. It was originally an abbey and was one of the few to survive Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries in the 1540s. A place of worship for over 1000 years, parts of the Norman church began in 1092 and can still be seen in the present building, which reflects all of the Gothic architectural styles.

Lunch

Enjoy lunch at one of Chester’s famed historical pubs, and then join your guide for a walking tour of Chester. See ‘The Rows’, black and white half-timbered structures that line Bridge Street at the centre of the city and the Eastgate Clock, one of the most famous time pieces in the world.

Conclude your Chester visit with some free time for independent exploration or maybe stroll in the historic cobbled streets lined with modern fashion boutiques.

Bid farewell to this ancient city and relax on the return journey to Liverpool.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Chester, City Walls, Roman Amphitheatre, Cathedral

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking of approximately 4 km, over mixed terrain, including some steps. Guests are recommended to wear comfortable footwear and a rainproof jacket. The drive from Liverpool to Chester is approximately 1 hour.