Chester

Roman walls circle this border city like a protective embrace, their weathered stones holding back two millennia of stories. Chester feels different from anywhere else in England - part Welsh borderland, part Roman outpost, wholly itself.

The Rows make shopping here genuinely unique. These covered galleries, built into medieval buildings at first-floor level, create a double-decker high street that's been drawing visitors since the 13th century. Below, chain stores occupy ground-floor units. Above, independent shops nestle into timber-framed spaces that feel authentically ancient.

Roman Chester reveals itself in unexpected corners. The Minerva Roman rock shrine, carved into red sandstone, sits quietly beside the city walls - a proper reminder that legionaries once patrolled these streets. The amphitheatre, Britain's largest, lies just outside the walls where gladiators once fought.

Beyond the tourist trail, Chester shows its working character. The Belvedere offers cracking views across the Dee, while Grosvenor Park's miniature railway delights children and nostalgic adults alike. Chester City Baths provides serious swimming in a building that's seen generations of locals learn their strokes.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Chester sits on the main London-Holyhead railway line, with regular services from major cities. The M53 and A55 bring drivers straight to the city centre.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. Places like Netherwood Touring Site put you within walking distance of the walls, while Oakwood Farm Touring Park offers a rural base just minutes from the action. After a day exploring Roman remains and medieval streets, returning to peaceful countryside feels exactly right. The Welsh hills beckon just across the border too.