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Chester’s central streets seem to come from a Tudor-style costume drama, the black and white buildings creating one of the most endearing urban scenes in Wales. Located on the River Dee in the far north of Wales, Chester photogenic streets are complemented by crumbling Roman walls and a fantastic cathedral. The city is a popular day or overnight trip from nearby Manchester or Liverpool, as well as being a gateway for exploring destinations across North Wales.

This charming city has preserved its past. The Tudor buildings stand above pedestrianised shopping streets and some house traditional pubs and eateries. Vintage buildings also line The Groves, a promenade that runs along the River Dee. Roman walls encircle the city and it’s possible to walk along the top of them, as some parts lie in a redolent state of ruin while others have been carefully restored. The other unmissable attraction is Chester Cathedral.Legend has it that this cathedral survived Henry VIII’s dissolution because the monarch found it too beautiful. From Chester, it’s easy to travel onwards to the World Heritage 13th century castles of North Wales, including Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, and Harlech.

Chester is less than an hour from Manchester and Liverpool by train. Both these cities have major international airports. Regular trains run from Chester to London, with a change in nearby Crewe for trains to northern England and Scotland. For destinations in Wales, Chester is on the North Wales Coast line. Everything in the city centre is within walking distance, and walking is part of the attraction, especially given the abundance of Tudor buildings.

Little remains of Chester’s oldest buildings but the Amphitheatre remains a fascinating sight. It was believed to be the largest wooden Roman structure outside Rome and what remains of the foundations gives a keen sense of its scale.