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Roman Things to Do in Chester
Most of Roman Chester is free and outdoors. Here's everything worth your time, from the headline sights to the hidden details — plus tours if you'd rather be shown around.
The Roman sites
Chester Roman Amphitheatre
FreeThe largest Roman amphitheatre uncovered in Britain, just outside the city walls near Newgate. About half of it is excavated and open to the public, free to walk around.
The City Walls
FreeChester has the most complete circuit of ancient walls in Britain. The northern and eastern stretches follow the line of the original Roman fortress defences.
Roman Gardens
FreeA landscaped strip between the amphitheatre and the river displaying reassembled columns and hypocaust pillars recovered from across the Roman city.
Grosvenor Museum
FreeHome to one of the finest collections of Roman military tombstones in Britain, recovered from the city walls where they had been reused as building stone.
Minerva's Shrine, Edgar's Field
FreeIn Handbridge, across the river, a weathered shrine to the goddess Minerva carved into the rock face of a Roman quarry — the only one of its kind still in its original place in Britain.
Dewa Roman Experience
TicketedA hands-on indoor attraction with a reconstructed fortress street and an excavated dig beneath the building. Good for families and a wet day.
Guided tours & day trips
If you'd rather have the stories told to you — or you're visiting from Liverpool or Manchester for the day — these are the bookable options:
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Chester Historic Walking Tour
demo linkA guided walk taking in the walls, the amphitheatre and the Rows with a local guide who knows the Roman story.
Roman Soldier Patrol Tour
demo linkLed by a costumed legionary of the Twentieth — family-friendly and the most distinctly 'Roman Chester' thing you can book.
Day Trip to Chester from Liverpool / Manchester
demo linkSelf-guided or guided day trips for visitors basing themselves in the North West.
A suggested half-day
Start at the Eastgate, walk the eastern walls down to the Roman Gardens, drop into the amphitheatre, then cross the river to Minerva's Shrine. Finish at the Grosvenor Museum to see the tombstones up close. That's a comfortable morning or afternoon and costs nothing but the museum donation. Full route on our self-guided walking tour page.