and
the Welsh Borders.
Chester
is a lovely place to visit but don't lose your head over it !
Chester is high on the list of places to visit in the United
Kingdom, but if you are from just over the border in Wales you need to take
care when visiting Chester as an ancient proclamation from King Henry 1V
of England has never been repealed and "all manner of Welsh persons
or Welsh sympathies should be expelled from the City; that no Welshman should
enter the City before sunrise or tarry in it after sunset, under pain of
decapitation".
However, like the City Walls, the proclamation fails to keep the Welsh
out and they and many other tourists visit the City of Chester. They receive
the latest news and a mediaeval welcome from the Chester Town  Criers
by visiting the Chester High Cross at noon every Tuesday to Saturday, from
May to August. A Town Crier Proclamation can be heard at The Chester High
Cross where the four main streets of the original Roman fortress still intersect,
this has been the site of public proclamations since mediaeval times, and
remains so today.
Chester boasts the original city walls, a complete circuit of walls (sections
of which date back to Roman times) which ring its picturesque shopping streets
and Norman Cathedral. Visit the Phoenix Tower also known as the King Charles
Tower to commemorate the events of September 1645, during the English Civil
War, when King Charles I stood on the roof and witnessed the rout of his
army by Parliamentary forces after the battle of Row ton Moor. The inscription
upon the tower states:
'KING CHARLES STOOD ON THIS TOWER SEPT 24th 1645 AND SAW HIS ARMY DEFEATED
ON ROWTON MOOR'
Today the only battles are for the special offers at the sales, Many shoppers
visit the famous Rows, unique two-tiered galleries built in the traditional
black and white style, containing a wide range of shops selling goods from
antiques to high fashion. In fact the city is very popular with visitors
from North Wales and is indeed one of the top retail centres in the UK being
ideal for a shop till you drop weekend.
Other attractions include Chester Zoo, the Grosvenor
Museum, Cheshire Military Museum, the Rows, a Roman Amphitheatre, Chester
Cathedral, Grosvenor Park, the famous Roodee Racecourse,
and last but not least the beautiful River Dee, Take a trip on the open
top tour buses to get a feel of what this 2000 year old city has to offer,
a top European Heritage Site. Tours last approx. one hour but your ticket
is valid all day so you may get on and off the tour as you please. Frequent
departures every day from various stops around the city including the Station,
the River Dee, Town Hall and Lower Bridge Street. You can save money with
a bus and boat tour ticket which includes a trip with Bithells Boats on
the River Dee. Tickets can be purchased from the Chester Visitor Centre,
the Tourist Information Centre or from the driver of the bus.
New archaeological excavations are planned at the Roman Amphitheatre - the
largest stone-built arena of its kind in Britain - with finds being put
on show in a new exhibition at the nearby Chester Visitor Centre. The building
offers one of the best views of the site from its top-floor gallery.
Chester Zoo
With 7000 animals, representing around 500 different species of animals
and award-winning gardens, they offer first class facilities that ensure
your day out really is as enjoyable as possible. The largest and finest
zoological gardens in Britain, 2 miles north of Chester. Set in 110 acres
of landscaped gardens, it houses many rare and endangered creatures in its
wide collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. Recent improvements
include an expansion to the Elephant House - Elephants of the Asian forest,
a new Tsavo cafe and a new home for the Orang-utans - Realm of the Red Ape.
From tiny Harvest Mice right up to Asian Elephants, Rhino's and Tigers there
is plenty to see at Chester Zoo.
Chester Races
There has been racing on the Roodee at Chester for over 450 years and the
thrill of watching a race at Chester unfolding before you from the sophisticated
surroundings of the course’s enclosures or the vantage point of the
City walls is an unforgettable experience.
There may not be many Welshmen who have lost their heads in Chester in the
last few years but I'll bet that there are quite a few who have lost their
shirts !
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