The Guild of Chester Tour Guides offers an exciting range of walking tours every single day of the year, including Christmas Day.
The Guild of Chester Tour Guides offers an exciting range of walking tours every single day of the year, including Christmas Day.
See individual tours for opening times.
Tours start from the Town Hall Visitor Information Centre on Northgate Street
The Chester Tour is the perfect way to start any visit to the city as it includes a bit of everything and will give you plenty of ideas as to how you might like to spend the rest of your time in the city. You will be taken on a captivating walk through 2,000 years of history, promenading along a section of the mighty defensive Walls first built by the Romans. You will pass by the impressive cathedral, once a powerful Benedictine Monastery, and at the Eastgate you can marvel at the second most-photographed clock in the country that has become the iconic image of Chester. You can discover unexpected treasures of a bygone era hidden amongst the bustling medieval shopping galleries called the Rows – maybe the remains of the Roman Hypocaust, Medieval cellars and passageways or even a priest hole tucked away in a grand plastered fireplace. Time permitting, you may encounter the Wishing Steps on the Walls and enjoy the beautiful Groves Riverside area along the way. Whatever the weather, your Guide will choose a suitable route tailored to the interests and abilities of the group on the day to ensure you discover the fascinating story of this wonderful city.
Daily 10.30am. Also at 2pm Easter to end October.
£10 per person. Up to two under 16s go free with an accompanying adult.
From the Roman Saturnalia festivities, through the Nordic myths and the nostalgic Victorian idyll, the customs, rituals and beliefs from many countries and religions have all contributed to the way we celebrate today.
Did you know you are technically breaking the law every time you wish someone a Merry Christmas? And as you scurry around doing your Christmas shopping have you ever wondered why the Three Kings chose the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh?
During this tour you can marvel at the resourceful way local shopkeepers kept their businesses ticking over during the tough wartime years of rationing and find out more about some of the characters we see in the colourful and vibrant Winter Watch Parades – and you won’t believe what used to pass as a tasty Christmas dinner in days gone by!
After you’ve discovered more about the hidden meanings in Christmas Carols and why Father Christmas wears red and travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, you can then swap stories about your own family customs and traditions in a local Tearoom where a special offer on a warming drink and mince pie awaits.
