Chester
Chester is a city that lies on the Dee River in Cheshire, England. Its close to the border of Wales and has a population of almost eighty thousand residents. Chester has an oceanic climate and temperatures in the summer are around seventy degrees Fahrenheit and the winter temperatures are around forty degrees. Chester can trace its roots back to the Roman Empire when it was named Deva Victrix in the first century. It was founded as a military installation to hold the back lines of the Roman Army as they advanced northward. It was one of the largest fortresses in Britain and eventually a community began to sprout around its border. It served as a Roman garrison until the fifth century, when it was eventually abandoned. Three hundred years later, the Roman Empire collapsed and a number of kingdoms sprouted up in its place. The Saxons fortified the city and extended its walls to protect it from the advancing Danish armies.
After the Norman Conquest of the eleventh century, the Normans seized Chester and destroyed over two hundred buildings in the city. The Norman Earl, Hugo d’Avranches built a motte and bailey fortification near the river as a defence against Celtic attacks. Under Norman rule, the city flourished and the city developed a thriving trade port. During the eighteenth century the port declined seriously, however and it could no longer compete with other English cities. Chester would gain back its affluence in the Georgian Period, however. It also experienced a period of growth which continued well into the Industrial Revolution. Today, the chief industries of the city include financial services, retail and tourism. Financial firms in the city include Bank of America and M&S Money. The city is also blanketed with many shops and chain stores. The city of Chester also contains a university, The University of Chester, and a hospital, the Countess of Chester Hospital.
A prominent attraction in the city is Chester Cathedral. Chester Cathedral was erected in the eleventh century and is the mother church of the Diocese of Chester. Over the course of its history it has been modified many times with the most recent addition being a bell tower in the twentieth century. Chester Cathedral is built out of Red Sandstone and is designed in the Gothic style of architecture. Another prominent attraction in the city of Chester is Grosvenor Museum. Grosvenor Museum was opened in 1886 and is a Grade II listed building. It was founded by the Chester Society for Natural Science, Literature and Art with an initial grant from the First Duke of Westminster of eleven thousand sterling pounds. Renovations have been ongoing since it started, with the bulk of them occurring between 1989 and 1999. This museum contains a collection of paintings and musical instruments from the Roman Empire to the present day and the museum receives over one hundred thousand visitors each and every year.
Another attraction to visit in the city of Chester is Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower. Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower is located on the northwest portion of Chester’s city walls. It is believed to have built during the thirteen century, and it was rebuilt in the fourteenth century when it was made the gate house to the water tower. Between 1838 through 1876, the building served as a museum, until it was closed. For a brief period of time it was reopened as a museum during the early twentieth century, but was once again closed in 1916. The towers were then bought by Grosvenor Museum and reopened to the public in 1962. Today, it is a Grade I listed building. Chester Castle is a favorite attraction to visitors of Chester. This castle is located in the southwest area of the city walls and overlooks Dee River. Chester Castle was erected in the eleventh century by the First Earl of Chester, Hugh Lupus. In the seventeenth century, the castle was attacked by Parliamentary forces. After the Civil War, Chester Castle was used as a prison, a court and a tax agency.
The Chester Roman Amphitheater is a historical attraction that shouldn’t be missed during your visit to Chester. These ruins that are exposed are those of a stone amphitheatre, much like the ones that can be found throughout Europe. This amphitheater is the largest one uncovered in Britain so far, and dates from the first or second century. The purpose of the theater was probably for military training, but it may have also been used for combat sports, wrestling and animal fights. This amphitheater was in use until the fourth century and was neglected after that. The Chester Roman Amphitheater was discovered in 1929, while the site was being prepared for construction work. Major excavation of the site resumed in the beginning of the twenty-first century. During this time several archaeological finds were discovered on the site including the remains of an even earlier amphitheater, cooked animal bones and low quality Roman pots. This has led to speculation that not only was food served at the games, but also that souvenirs were made available for the spectators to purchase.
Other prominent attractions in the city of Chester include Church of St John the Baptist, Roman shrine to Minerva, Eastgate Clock, St Mary’s Center, Grosvenor Bridge, Barnaby’s Tower, Kaleyard Gate, Spur Wall, Old Dee Bridge, Cowper House, Bridgegate, Booth Mansion, Blue Bell, Church of St Peter, Three Old Arches, Leche House, 39 Bridge Street, Pemberton’s Parlour, Phoenix Tower, the Rows, Grosvenor Park, Gateway Theater, Chester Zoo, Shropshire Union Canal, St Mary on the Hill and St Werburgh’s Abbey. The city is also home to a number of popular restaurants and hotels. Restaurants in the city of Chester include Upstairs At The Grill, Ego Restaurant, Chez Jules, Siam Thai and Teppanyaki Restaurant, Francs and the Watergates Wine Bar. Chester hotels include the Eaton Hotel, Crown Plaza, Best Western Westminster Hotel, the Mill Hotel, Dene Hotel, Best Western Queen Hotel and the Chester Grosvenor Hotel. The city also has a large number of cafes, theaters, shops and pubs to keep visitors occuppied.
