Chester Roman Amphitheatre parking and how to get there
The closest car park to Chester Roman Amphitheatre is the Pepper Street multi-storey (CH1 1DF), about two minutes’ walk away. If you are coming by train, the amphitheatre is around 15 minutes on foot from Chester station, through the Eastgate. The three park-and-ride sites on the edge of the city are the cheapest option on busy days.
The four nearest car parks, ranked by walk
English Heritage keeps it short on the amphitheatre page: “there are several paid car parks in the city centre a short walk from the amphitheatre”. Here are the ones we actually use, with postcodes and the walking time to Newgate.
| Car park | Postcode | Walk to amphitheatre | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepper Street APCOA | CH1 1DF | 2 minutes | Multi-storey, 273 spaces, 1.98 m height limit. The closest car park to the amphitheatre and the Roman Gardens. |
| Little Roodee Cheshire West and Chester Council | CH1 2LY | 10 minutes | Open 24 hours by the River Dee. Takes cars, coaches, motorcycles and motorhomes. Cheaper than the city-centre car parks and good for a long day. |
| Delamere Street Cheshire West and Chester Council | CH1 3EQ | 12 minutes | 351 spaces, open 6.30am to 11.30pm daily. On the north side of the centre, so handy if you want to see the Roman north wall at Northgate first. |
| New Market Cheshire West and Chester Council | CH1 2AR | 7 minutes | A covered council car park on Hunter Street, close to the Town Hall and the Grosvenor Museum. |
Tariffs are posted at the entrance to each car park and the council reviews them each April. When we checked, Little Roodee cost £6.50 for up to 12 hours before 6pm and £2 after, and Delamere Street ran from £4 for an hour to £10.50 for over six hours, with £3.50 after 6pm.
Park and ride
On a race day, a Saturday in summer or a weekend of the Christmas market, the three park-and-ride sites on the edge of the city are faster and much cheaper. Wrexham Road comes in from the south, Boughton Heathfrom the east and Upton from the north by the zoo. Parking is free at all three; the bus runs every 10 to 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays and bank holidays. An adult return is £2.50 and up to two accompanied children under 16 travel free.
The park-and-ride buses stop at Vicars Lane and Pepper Street, a minute from the amphitheatre and Roman Gardens.
By train
Chester station is on City Road, postcode CH1 3DR, and is run by Transport for Wales. English Heritage gives the distance to the amphitheatre as roughly three-quarters of a mile: a 15-minute walk in a straight line down City Road and Foregate Street to the Eastgate clock, then south along the walls or Pepper Street to Newgate. The station has 252 parking spaces and both bicycle hire and secure bike storage if you would rather roll into town.
The no-car route from the station
If you are coming by train for a day, the best route past the Roman sites is to leave the station, walk down City Road to the Eastgate, climb the steps and take the walls clockwise. You pass the cathedral on your left, drop down at Northgate to see the Roman stretch of wall from the canal towpath, then rejoin the walls and come south-east to Newgate for the amphitheatre and the Roman Gardens. Allow a little over an hour at a wander, two hours with photos. Our self-guided Roman walk stretches it into a full morning.
Access and arriving with care
The amphitheatre is open every day all year round during daylight hours and there is no entry charge, so there is no pressure to arrive at a set time. A level path runs round the top of the excavated half; steps lead down into the arena, which is not step-free. There is no on-site parking at the amphitheatre itself, and the lanes beside it are residential and tight.
For a full visit plan, including itineraries, where to stay and the rainy-day order, see our plan your visit page.
Questions people ask
Where is Chester Roman Amphitheatre?
On Little St John Street and Vicars Lane, Chester CH1 1RE, just outside the city walls at Newgate. English Heritage gives the sat-nav coordinates as 53.187461, -2.89199.
Where is the nearest car park to Chester Roman Amphitheatre?
Pepper Street multi-storey (CH1 1DF, APCOA) is about two minutes' walk away. English Heritage notes that "there are several paid car parks in the city centre a short walk from the amphitheatre"; Pepper Street is the closest of them.
Is there free parking near the amphitheatre?
Not in the city centre. The three Chester park-and-ride sites (Wrexham Road, Boughton Heath and Upton) have free parking on the edge of the city, with a bus every 10 to 12 minutes into the centre; the adult return fare is £2.50 and up to two accompanied children under 16 travel free.
How much is parking in Chester?
Council tariffs vary by car park. Little Roodee's daytime rate was £6.50 for up to 12 hours when we checked, £2 after 6pm. Delamere Street ran from £4 for an hour to £10.50 for over six hours. Check the price on the sign on the day: the council reviews its charges each April.
How far is Chester Roman Amphitheatre from Chester train station?
About three-quarters of a mile, or 15 minutes on foot, says English Heritage. Walk down City Road and Foregate Street to the Eastgate clock, then follow the walls or the street south to Newgate.
Can I get a bus to the amphitheatre?
Yes. Buses stop on Vicars Lane and Pepper Street, a minute from the amphitheatre, and the park-and-ride routes drop you a short walk away in the city centre.
Is the amphitheatre open? Do I need to book?
The amphitheatre is open daily all year round in daylight hours, is free, and you don't need a ticket. The Roman Gardens next door are the same.
Where should I park to walk the Chester city walls?
Any of the four car parks in our table works, because the walls circuit the whole centre. Pepper Street puts you at Newgate; Delamere Street is best for Northgate and the Roman north wall; Little Roodee is beside the Old Dee Bridge and Minerva's Shrine.
Facts and visitor details checked 26 October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check with the venue before you travel. Sources: English Heritage, directions to the amphitheatre; English Heritage, Chester Roman Amphitheatre; Cheshire West and Chester Council, Little Roodee car park; Cheshire West and Chester Council, Delamere Street car park; Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester car parks; Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester park and ride; National Rail, Chester station; chester.com, Chester Roman Amphitheatre listing.