I'll be travelling on the train from north Wales to London. It looks like I could get off in Chester for a few hours (looks like trains from Chester to London run every hour), but I would have a backpack and small bag with me.
Would there be anything I could see in Chester that wouldn't take more than a few hours? And would there be any place I could leave my bags at the train station? Or I could lug them with me as long as I wasn't entering any place that wouldn't allow me to bring them inside, I don't suppose museums have a checkroom for suitcases?
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3102 posts
I'd say yes. You can jump off the train at the station, and walk to the main town in about 1/2 hour. Grab lunch at one of several places - we had a nice lunch at a tea room (150 kids of tea - really fun). There are shops all over, several Roman ruins, and 2 cathedrals (one quite old, the other more modern). I'd spend no less than 4 hours there.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7207 posts
Another yes vote here. Believe we spent about 3 hours walking around the main downtown area looking at buildings and shops.
Posted by
Washington DC
28247 posts
And/or you could walk part of the wall.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6713 posts
In a few hours you can enjoy Chester. There's inexpensive bus service from the station, but it doesn't look like the station has luggage storage. Visit the cathedral (the old one at least), walk on the walls, admire the many half-timbered buildings on the main street. Also a good museum as I recall, but you might not have time for all that.
Emma, who is from Chester, may chime in when she wakes up. Her advice is always good.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Chester's population is around 120,000 so not exactly a metropolis but not a town either. The central part is scenic for strolling.
This site holds itself out as the official tourism office and has charming photos. https://www.visitcheshire.com/chester
Can't help with your luggage, but maybe they can (it's their job to answer questions) https://www.visitcheshire.com/information/contact-us
Posted by
2599 posts
Look at this Google Map:>https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.1925057,-2.8874209,1105m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1
You will need to get from the station - top right - to Eastgate Clock = where the really old bit of the city can be found with Chester Cross at the very centre.
You don't say where in Wales you are starting from. If you have purchased one of the cheaper Advance fares for a specific train, then you must stay on that train all the way to London (Euston). Consider buying a ticket from your start point in Wales to Chester. Then consider purchasing in Advance one of the Advance tickets for a specific train from Chester to London (Euston). That will allow you to see Chester. If you have an ‘Anytime Return’ - then that will also allow you to hop off at Chester.
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.virgintrains.co.uk
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1526 posts
I'd walk the whole wall! I don't remember it taking that long and you get a bird's eye view of Roman thru Modern. If you have time visit the Rows (a framed timber shopping arcade) it is from Victorian times but looks Ye Olde.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for all the very helpful replies, the map and directions, and visitor website, the Lloyds kept luggage info, all so very useful and appreciated! I need to research about the train tickets tho, advance planning is not my strong suit.
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
When you buy your train ticket, make sure it’s one that allows breaking your journey at Chester. The cheapest tickets, called Advance (with a capital A) only allow travel on the specified train and not a break of journey. That would be no good unless you bought two tickets - one to Chester and one for your onward journey.