Having lived in Chester for a few years pre kids, we regularly visit and love nothing more than a day out or weekend break in Chester with kids.
Chester is a beautiful city in the North West of England, with plenty of history, a wonderful character and fabulous vibe.
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There are so much things to do in Chester with kids, from walking the city walls, to meeting the animals at Chester Zoo. There really is something for everyone.
Chester is within easy reach of Liverpool, Manchester, Staffordshire, or North Wales, and is jam packed with plenty to do for all ages.
Whether you fancy a slow stroll down by the river, a wander along the City Walls, or a visit to Chester Zoo, here are a list of the BEST things to do in Chester with kids… and some won’t cost you a penny!
Chester with kids – The best things to do for families
Here are a few of our top things to do in Chester with kids, including a few ideas for things to do near to Chester, and family friendly places to stay in and around Chester.
At a glance;
- Cheshire Ice Cream Farm
- Chester Zoo
- Blue Planet Aquarium
- Beeston Castle
- Chester Rows
- The River Dee
- The Crocky Trail
- Chester City Walls
- Delamere Forest
- Chester Cathedral
Cheshire Ice Cream Farm
The Cheshire Ice Cream Farm is a great place to visit just outside Chester and is a great way to spend a few hours with the kids – particularly younger kids.
There is no entrance fee and there are a number of attractions such as Daisy’s Garden and Fudge Farm that are free to enter.
We visited more recently and found there are a number of additional attractions such as the Honeycomb Canyon (indoor sand and water play), Strawberry Falls adventure golf, and the Fun Factory that are payable. You can make savings by purchasing Play Passes.
The Cheshire Ice Cream Farm is a great play area for kids and has been producing award-winning ice cream for years and offers some incredible flavours … well worth queuing for on a busy day!
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a favourite of ours and a great educational and fun attraction for the whole family There is so much to see and do with over 21,000 of the world’s most exotic and endangered animals to discover. Another thing to add…Wildlife Conservation is at the heart of everything at Chester Zoo. Chester Zoo is one of our best things to in Chester and one of our favourite Chester attractions.
For more information head over to Chester Zoo online.
There is also nearby Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port (near to Cheshire Oaks) which is a great family friendly attraction and perfect for rainy days in Chester.
Beeston Castle
We lived in Chester pre kids and used to love cycling around Beeston Castle. Beeston is one of the most dramatically sited medieval castles in England with a 4000 year history. On a beautiful, clear day you can see all the way from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains. With a 40-acre woodland park…Beeston Castle is a lovely day out. Plan your visit here
Chester Cathedral
Founded as a Benedictine abbey in 1092, Chester Cathedral has a rich and varied history. It is not only a place of worship, but also a centre of musical excellence – The largest venue in the city for orchestral performances, concerts, and charitable fundraisers. We love to visit Chester Cathedral every Christmas for the wonderful and iconic The Snowman performance.
You can also book on to one of the Tower Tours & Ground Floor Tours. Find out more here.
The River Dee – Boat Trip
The River Dee is 70 miles long and stretches through Wales and Chester. Take a walk along the River Dee and stop by at one of the various bars, restaurants and cafes to enjoy a drink with a view! Alternatively, enjoy a rowing boat or a pedalo in the sunshine!
Chester Rows
Chester Rows are a series of half-timbered buildings joined with long galleries. The rows form a second row of shops and are reached by steps.
The Crocky Trail, Chester
The Crocky Trail in Chester is an adventure filled theme park for all the family to enjoy. For outdoor fun and adventures, then head to the Crocky Trail where you will find gravity defying slides, haunted houses, and spinning barrels.
Read out full Crocky trail review here
Chester City Walls
According to Visit Chester, Chester is the only city in Britain that retains the full circuit of its ancient walls. Hard to believe that parts of the City Walls are almost 2000 years old! There are some fabulous views that make for a really interesting walk.
Delamere Forest
This is one of our favourite places to visit. Delamere Forest is wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle, enjoy some peace and to take the kids to explore and enjoy the fresh air.
Delamere is home to various walking and cycle trails, Go Ape Tree Top Adventure, and Go Ape Forest Segways. There is also cycle hire here and orienteering courses available. Find out more here.
Where to stay in Chester with kids
There are plenty of options for family friendly places to stay in Chester.
We have previously stayed at The Racecourse Garden, an apartment situated just yards from Chester Racecourse.
The apartment is located in Chester, 0.7 miles from Chester Castle, offering 2 bedrooms, a gorgeous living space, and a patio and garden area. The property has garden views and is an extremely convenient base – it is just 350 yards from Chester Racecourse, 0.9 miles from University of Chester and a short walk to all the popular places of interest, shops, restaurants and bars.
The apartment is furnished beautifully, and we instantly felt at home here. The girls absolutely loved the outdoor patio area, and we spent the evening sat toasting marshmallows in the fire pit.
The bedrooms are beautifully decorated and the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need during your stay, linen is provided, and Wi-fi is free.
Camping is a great option for families and there are some GREAT camping and glamping sites in and around Cheshire
We have also stayed at the Travelodge Chester Central and you can easily walk into Chester from here.
Read our Travelodge Chester review here.
Getting around Chester with children
Chester has won the European Access City Award for its continued commitment to ensuring that the city is accessible for all.
There are many pavements suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs and the Rows is accessible from the shopping arcade in Eastgate street.
Chester Park and Ride
If you do decide to head to Chester in the car, it is worth considering the park and ride for ease.
We left our car at the Racecourse Gardens apartment and walked in to the City Centre as it is a short and pleasant stroll.
How to get to Chester
The nearest airports to Chester and Cheshire are Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airport – both just under an hour by road.
The M6, M56 and M53 are the main motorways that link to Chester and Cheshire.
Travelling to Chester and Cheshire by rail is easy…only two hours from London and further connections can be made to the North Wales Coast. Visit National Rail Enquires for more information.
For more information or to book the Racecourse Garden, Chester visit here.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, this is at no extra cost to you, but I receive a small commission.