Chester, Cheshire
England

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Black timber and leaded glass windows of traditional Tudor construction in central Chester, Cheshire county, England.

Chester, on the border with Wales and not far from big and buzzing Manchester [40 minutes road travel] or strumming Liverpool [also 40 minutes] is an ancient town - first settled in 70 AD by the Romans - with a finely preserved and easily walkable, compact, attractive Tudor centre but also remnants of other eras, from Roman through Normans to Victorians. One of the most popular tourist attractions is the variety of interesting guided walks available, though strolling on one's own is not a problem.
Chester is about 2.5 hours by train from London's Euston or Paddington stations.

Chester sightseeing, other than just walking around the centre:
- a grand Norman cathedral.
- excavations of a Roman Amphitheatre.
- Chester Castle and its Military Museum
- Chester Grosvenor Museum of Roman artifacts.
- Chester zoo, Britain's biggest with 7,000 animals
- the county, Cheshire, also offers some magnificent stately homes, castles, Iron Age hill forts and some unusual museums such as the Anson Engine Museum and the Salt Museum.

Manchester is England's second city with little in the way of ancient interest but a lot of modern urban attractions including some dramatic architecture such as the Lowry Centre [a Manchester artist] on the regenerated Salford Quays, excellent museums and art galleries, a truly wild nightlife and, of course, the home of Manchester United Football Club [where tours will require advance booking].

Liverpool, an old transatlantic port, is also undergoing a renaissance like Manchester, spurred on by the prospect of being Europe's capital of Culture in 2008 and thanks to a successful football club and Beatle-oriented sights and sounds. Liverpool offers some excellent museums and galleries, a couple of magnificent cathedrals and lively new docklands development as well as ongoing Beatle memorabilia, events and fab four locations.

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Chester Photo UK © Chris Green