John And Dawn’s guidebook
Eat, Drink and be Merry.
Here are a few suggestions - mostly of eateries visited by us or your fellow guests. We try to keep this up to date but recommend checking before your visit. You can also find many ideas at the official Visit Chester website.
Stroll a mile and a half further along the canal away from the city, just enough to work up a thirst, and you come to the CHESHIRE CAT, a really top class country inn, with cosy nooks, great range of wines and ales and excellent menu.
10 personas locales recomiendan
The Cheshire Cat
Whitchurch RoadStroll a mile and a half further along the canal away from the city, just enough to work up a thirst, and you come to the CHESHIRE CAT, a really top class country inn, with cosy nooks, great range of wines and ales and excellent menu.
The Siam Thai and Teppan-Yaki Restaurant has been recommended to us by past diners and is just a walk along the canal into the city.
Siam Thai and Teppanyaki Restaurant
32 City RoadThe Siam Thai and Teppan-Yaki Restaurant has been recommended to us by past diners and is just a walk along the canal into the city.
Guests Andrew and Carole told us that they "found a restaurant with a silly name, 'The Sticky Walnut', in an area which was only 15 minutes walk from your cottage. Although the cost was somewhat startling, the food and ambiance were pleasant, and we would recommend it to any of your guests, if they are prepared to pay premium prices for an interesting and unusual menu.'
This restaurant has since been enjoyed and recommended by other guests, too. Emily and Nathan enjoyed the "great food and perfect service" in May 2021.
16 personas locales recomiendan
Sticky Walnut
11 Charles StGuests Andrew and Carole told us that they "found a restaurant with a silly name, 'The Sticky Walnut', in an area which was only 15 minutes walk from your cottage. Although the cost was somewhat startling, the food and ambiance were pleasant, and we would recommend it to any of your guests, if they are prepared to pay premium prices for an interesting and unusual menu.'
This restaurant has since been enjoyed and recommended by other guests, too. Emily and Nathan enjoyed the "great food and perfect service" in May 2021.
A friend recommended this to us, not only for the splendid views over the River Dee but for the regular 'two-for-one' offer on Sunday evenings - booking advised for this though. The menu is 'Mediterranean with international accents'. We recently enjoyed a sunny, mid-week lunch here...good food, excellent service and a river view to die for.
Et Alia at The Red House
Dee BanksA friend recommended this to us, not only for the splendid views over the River Dee but for the regular 'two-for-one' offer on Sunday evenings - booking advised for this though. The menu is 'Mediterranean with international accents'. We recently enjoyed a sunny, mid-week lunch here...good food, excellent service and a river view to die for.
Highly rated pub restaurant. Every Thursday evening is film night - main course, dessert, glass of wine and a classic film for £20. What's not to like?
16 personas locales recomiendan
Chez Jules
71 Northgate StHighly rated pub restaurant. Every Thursday evening is film night - main course, dessert, glass of wine and a classic film for £20. What's not to like?
Aside from their annual charity beer festival in July, this innovative brewer holds regular Brewbarn Seessions - afternoons of beer, food, music and brewery tours.
Spitting Feathers Brewery
Common LaneAside from their annual charity beer festival in July, this innovative brewer holds regular Brewbarn Seessions - afternoons of beer, food, music and brewery tours.
Laura and James dined riverside here in August 2019 and liked the "amazing food and lots of choice for veggies and vegans too! Their cocktails are amazing too (recommend the frozen martini & the hard cherry cola)". A week or so later, Nate and Christa agreed - "We had an amazing dinner at Hickory's our first night here. It was so good that we ate there again on our second night!"
43 personas locales recomiendan
Hickorys
Souter's LaneLaura and James dined riverside here in August 2019 and liked the "amazing food and lots of choice for veggies and vegans too! Their cocktails are amazing too (recommend the frozen martini & the hard cherry cola)". A week or so later, Nate and Christa agreed - "We had an amazing dinner at Hickory's our first night here. It was so good that we ate there again on our second night!"
Katie and Dean dined here in September '19. "Upstairs at the Grill offered some of the best service and steak we have ever had! The restaurant is very small, so think it is somewhere you need to book in advance, but the bar upstairs alone is worth a visit!" .
16 personas locales recomiendan
Upstairs At The Grill - Chester
70 Watergate StKatie and Dean dined here in September '19. "Upstairs at the Grill offered some of the best service and steak we have ever had! The restaurant is very small, so think it is somewhere you need to book in advance, but the bar upstairs alone is worth a visit!" .
Guests Lisa and Adam lunched here in December 2019 and commented "one of the nicest lunches I've had".
11 personas locales recomiendan
The Flower Cup
61 Watergate StGuests Lisa and Adam lunched here in December 2019 and commented "one of the nicest lunches I've had".
Guests Julie & Martin went here in August 2019 and recommended it "for magical treasures and unusual gifts....staff so friendly and welcoming plus we enjoyed a delightful cup of tea outside the back in the fairy garden!"
(n.b. only serves light refreshments.)
Suzie K @ The Secret Garden
24 Bridge Street RowGuests Julie & Martin went here in August 2019 and recommended it "for magical treasures and unusual gifts....staff so friendly and welcoming plus we enjoyed a delightful cup of tea outside the back in the fairy garden!"
(n.b. only serves light refreshments.)
Walk along the towpath into the city and you will soon come to The Old Harkers Arms. Guests Alison and Chris enjoyed its "very relaxing and friendly vibe" in October 2019. Be warned, though, the place is usually packed on weekend evenings.
21 personas locales recomiendan
Old Harkers Arms
1 Russell StWalk along the towpath into the city and you will soon come to The Old Harkers Arms. Guests Alison and Chris enjoyed its "very relaxing and friendly vibe" in October 2019. Be warned, though, the place is usually packed on weekend evenings.
Guests Kendra and Josh enjoyed a meal here in May 2021. "The food was excellent and washed down with a Porta Spritz - El Bandarra (wine) has been a revelation!"
20 personas locales recomiendan
Porta Wine & Tapas Bar
140 Northgate StGuests Kendra and Josh enjoyed a meal here in May 2021. "The food was excellent and washed down with a Porta Spritz - El Bandarra (wine) has been a revelation!"
The oldest coaching inn in Chester, Mandy and Stuart enjoyed their food and a pint here in May 2021. With its own micro brewery and a beer terrace it does sound like the perfect place for that pint.
The Pied Bull
57 Northgate StThe oldest coaching inn in Chester, Mandy and Stuart enjoyed their food and a pint here in May 2021. With its own micro brewery and a beer terrace it does sound like the perfect place for that pint.
Abi and Jorge dined here pre-Christmas 2021 and very much enjoyed the experience.
Bella Italia - Chester
29 Eastgate StreetAbi and Jorge dined here pre-Christmas 2021 and very much enjoyed the experience.
Eatery by day, cocktail bar by night, 'the pink bar on Watergate Street' was recommended by guests Abi and Jorge in December 2021.
Palm Cocktail Bar & Eatery
31 Watergate StreetEatery by day, cocktail bar by night, 'the pink bar on Watergate Street' was recommended by guests Abi and Jorge in December 2021.
Close to the Cathedral, The Botanist serves everything from brunches fo Sunday dinners - along with a range of cocktails and gins. It was recommended by guests Abi and Jorge in December 2021.
13 personas locales recomiendan
The Botanist Chester
13 St Werburgh StClose to the Cathedral, The Botanist serves everything from brunches fo Sunday dinners - along with a range of cocktails and gins. It was recommended by guests Abi and Jorge in December 2021.
Recommended for 'the best homemade Polish dumplings' by Lydia and Lewis in December 2021.
Pierogi Chester
44 Brook StreetRecommended for 'the best homemade Polish dumplings' by Lydia and Lewis in December 2021.
Located in pretty Handbridge village on the south bank of the River Dee, Lydia and Lewis recommended Meltdown "for toasties to die for" in December 2021.
Meltdown Chester
Located in pretty Handbridge village on the south bank of the River Dee, Lydia and Lewis recommended Meltdown "for toasties to die for" in December 2021.
The wine tasting dinner at Veeno was particularly recommended by Ann and Andy, and also Jane and Dave, who all enjoyed their tipples and food in Feb/March 2022.
Veeno - The Italian Wine Café
52 Northgate StThe wine tasting dinner at Veeno was particularly recommended by Ann and Andy, and also Jane and Dave, who all enjoyed their tipples and food in Feb/March 2022.
Nine Elephants Thai Drink & Dine 'promises to deliver a jazzed-up Thai dining experience'. Not sure about that but Jane and Dave certainly found the food tasty on their visit in March 2022.
6 personas locales recomiendan
9 Elephants Thai Drink & Dine
11A Upper Northgate StNine Elephants Thai Drink & Dine 'promises to deliver a jazzed-up Thai dining experience'. Not sure about that but Jane and Dave certainly found the food tasty on their visit in March 2022.
If its old Chester you fancy, take a drink in Ye Olde Boot Inn, an atmospheric, low beamed inn dating from 1643 and located in the famous Chester Rows. Recommended by Marianne and Russell in February 2022.
Ye Olde Boot Inn
9 Eastgate StreetIf its old Chester you fancy, take a drink in Ye Olde Boot Inn, an atmospheric, low beamed inn dating from 1643 and located in the famous Chester Rows. Recommended by Marianne and Russell in February 2022.
A great place for meet-ups or refuge on a rainy day, Storyhouse is Chester’s multi award-winning £37m theatre, library, restaurant and cinema. The restored and revitalised 1930s Odeon building houses an 800-seat auditorium, a 150-seat studio theatre, a restaurant and two bars plus a 100-seat boutique, independent cinema.
60 personas locales recomiendan
Storyhouse
Hunter StreetA great place for meet-ups or refuge on a rainy day, Storyhouse is Chester’s multi award-winning £37m theatre, library, restaurant and cinema. The restored and revitalised 1930s Odeon building houses an 800-seat auditorium, a 150-seat studio theatre, a restaurant and two bars plus a 100-seat boutique, independent cinema.
Our neighbour Phil recommended this licensed cafe to us and it did not disappoint. Very tasty light lunches at reasonable prices. Also available for breakfasts and for delicious cakes and hot drinks. Great atmosphere, too.
Marmalade
67 Northgate StOur neighbour Phil recommended this licensed cafe to us and it did not disappoint. Very tasty light lunches at reasonable prices. Also available for breakfasts and for delicious cakes and hot drinks. Great atmosphere, too.
Sightseeing
This really is a world class zoo just 3 miles from Towpath Cottage. Katie and Dean noted " we were here from 11 - 6 and still didn't get to see it all! "
227 personas locales recomiendan
Zoológico de Chester
Moston RoadThis really is a world class zoo just 3 miles from Towpath Cottage. Katie and Dean noted " we were here from 11 - 6 and still didn't get to see it all! "
The cathedral's construction dates from between 1093 and the early 16th century, having been modified a number of times throughout history. The site itself may have been used for Christian worship since Roman times. All the major styles of English medieval architecture, from Norman to Perpendicular, are represented in the present building. Guided tours depart daily, Monday to Saturday, at 11am and 2pm. The cathedral has a programme of recitals and exhibitions throughout the year.
77 personas locales recomiendan
Chester Cathedral
The cathedral's construction dates from between 1093 and the early 16th century, having been modified a number of times throughout history. The site itself may have been used for Christian worship since Roman times. All the major styles of English medieval architecture, from Norman to Perpendicular, are represented in the present building. Guided tours depart daily, Monday to Saturday, at 11am and 2pm. The cathedral has a programme of recitals and exhibitions throughout the year.
The city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old.
Chester is the only city in Britain that retains the full circuit of its ancient defensive walls. Walking the complete circuit gives wonderful views down into the city and gives an insight into Chester's long history. The main access onto the walls is at each of the four main gateways - Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate, plus there are many other steps around the city, some including accessible ramps.
52 personas locales recomiendan
Chester City Walls
City WallsThe city walls are the oldest, longest and most complete in Britain, parts of which are almost 2000 years old.
Chester is the only city in Britain that retains the full circuit of its ancient defensive walls. Walking the complete circuit gives wonderful views down into the city and gives an insight into Chester's long history. The main access onto the walls is at each of the four main gateways - Northgate, Eastgate, Watergate and Bridgegate, plus there are many other steps around the city, some including accessible ramps.
Situated 8 miles from the cottage, where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, is this transshipment dock, once a noisy, bustling hub is now 7 acres of calm and tranquillity. Reachable by car of course, but also by the cottage bicycles, along the canal towpath. Full information here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/national-waterways-museum.
14 personas locales recomiendan
National Waterways Museum
South Pier RoadSituated 8 miles from the cottage, where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey, is this transshipment dock, once a noisy, bustling hub is now 7 acres of calm and tranquillity. Reachable by car of course, but also by the cottage bicycles, along the canal towpath. Full information here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/national-waterways-museum.
The Anderton Boat Lift has earnt its nickname of Cathedral of the Canals for a very good reason. Not only does it still do the job it was designed to do of lifting boats and barges the 50 feet from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent & Mersey Canal, but it does it with the most ingenious and endearing character of any structure on the canal system. It is only a 30 minute drive from Chester.
27 personas locales recomiendan
Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre
Lift LaneThe Anderton Boat Lift has earnt its nickname of Cathedral of the Canals for a very good reason. Not only does it still do the job it was designed to do of lifting boats and barges the 50 feet from the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent & Mersey Canal, but it does it with the most ingenious and endearing character of any structure on the canal system. It is only a 30 minute drive from Chester.
Jodrell Bank is an amazing, unique, and awe-inspiring place. A world-leading deep-space radio observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an award-winning national visitor attraction.
66 personas locales recomiendan
Centro de Descubrimiento de Jodrell Bank
Bomish LaneJodrell Bank is an amazing, unique, and awe-inspiring place. A world-leading deep-space radio observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an award-winning national visitor attraction.
The waterfront, galleries, museums, theatres, football stadia, Beatles tours.....so much to see in Liverpool - 'the world in one city'..
144 personas locales recomiendan
The Beatles Story
The waterfront, galleries, museums, theatres, football stadia, Beatles tours.....so much to see in Liverpool - 'the world in one city'..
Established in 1539, Chester is the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world. The racecourse has consistently been awarded the Gold Standard Award by the Racehorse Owners Association.
103 personas locales recomiendan
Chester Racecourse
New Crane StreetEstablished in 1539, Chester is the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world. The racecourse has consistently been awarded the Gold Standard Award by the Racehorse Owners Association.
One of Britain's greatest industrial heritage sites, set in picturesque gardens and countryside
The early Industrial Revolution changed our world forever. At Quarry Bank you can discover a complete industrial community and experience the very different worlds of owner and worker, who lived and worked here side by side.
40 personas locales recomiendan
Molino de Quarry Bank
Styal RoadOne of Britain's greatest industrial heritage sites, set in picturesque gardens and countryside
The early Industrial Revolution changed our world forever. At Quarry Bank you can discover a complete industrial community and experience the very different worlds of owner and worker, who lived and worked here side by side.
Just a 40 minute drive from the cottage lies Tatton Park, one of the most complete historical estates open to the public, with a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped Gardens, 1000 acres of deer Park, a rare breed farm and medieval Old Hall.
105 personas locales recomiendan
Tatton Park
Just a 40 minute drive from the cottage lies Tatton Park, one of the most complete historical estates open to the public, with a neo-classical mansion, 50 acres of landscaped Gardens, 1000 acres of deer Park, a rare breed farm and medieval Old Hall.
A historic country house and garden just 9 miles from the cottage, Bolesworth runs a series of equestrian and other events throughout the year.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Bolesworth Castle
Old Coach RoadA historic country house and garden just 9 miles from the cottage, Bolesworth runs a series of equestrian and other events throughout the year.
Food scene
Denise and Phil from Australia dropped in here in September 2019 and commented: "excellent cheese from 'The Cheese Shop' in the main street - arguably one of the best".
6 personas locales recomiendan
The Cheese Shop
116 Northgate StDenise and Phil from Australia dropped in here in September 2019 and commented: "excellent cheese from 'The Cheese Shop' in the main street - arguably one of the best".
Chester's first single-use, plastic free shop. Also have a programme of talks and workshops throughout the year for anyone interested in living a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Just Footprints Limited
Upper Northgate StreetChester's first single-use, plastic free shop. Also have a programme of talks and workshops throughout the year for anyone interested in living a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Walking
Starting just a few miles from the cottage and voted by ITV viewers as one of Britain's favourite walks, this 34 mile trail along Cheshire's sandstone ridge offers superb, unbroken and often elevated walking. It is well signposted and split into three sections, each suitable for a day's hike.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Sandstone Trail
Sandstone TrailStarting just a few miles from the cottage and voted by ITV viewers as one of Britain's favourite walks, this 34 mile trail along Cheshire's sandstone ridge offers superb, unbroken and often elevated walking. It is well signposted and split into three sections, each suitable for a day's hike.
Turn left outside the cottage to stroll (or cycle) along the towpath to the historic walled city of Chester. Or turn right for the Cheshire countryside. Lots of information here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/chester
11 personas locales recomiendan
Shropshire Union Canal
Turn left outside the cottage to stroll (or cycle) along the towpath to the historic walled city of Chester. Or turn right for the Cheshire countryside. Lots of information here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/chester
Shopping
Cheshire Oaks is the UK's largest Designer Outlet With a quarter-million square feet of retail space, comprising more than 140 boutiques, restaurants and cafes,
211 personas locales recomiendan
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Kinsey RoadCheshire Oaks is the UK's largest Designer Outlet With a quarter-million square feet of retail space, comprising more than 140 boutiques, restaurants and cafes,