Day 144 – Liverpool, England

Although the most popular excursion for today’s destination of Liverpool, England, seemed to be “The Beatles Experience,” Tim selected the included excursion, “Iconic Liverpool,” while I opted to discover the “Roman City of Chester,” the hidden jewel of northwest England. This was the description:

Explore the rich history of one of the best-preserved walled cities in the British Isles. Chester is a classic, contemporary city bursting with treasures and 2,000 years’ worth of history. Journey by motor coach to the city as your knowledgeable local guide provides commentary along the way. Founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century AD, Chester is known for its extensive Roman walls made of local red sandstone. You will have the chance to explore the city’s unique Tudor-style, half-timbered galleried streets and signature black-and-white buildings. Next, visit Chester Cathedral, the most complete medieval monastic complex still standing in the UK. A place of worship for over 1,000 years, parts of the Norman church dating back to 1092 can still be seen in the present structure. You will have time to explore charming Chester at your leisure before boarding your motor coach and returning to your ship.

I love exploring small, historic towns, and Chester lived up to its billing as one of the best-preserved walled cities in the British Isles. After a short drive from Liverpool, we arrived in the city.

We learned that Chester dates to the first century AD, when the Roman Empire built a fortress here to suppress fierce Welsh tribes across the border. The Romans, who remained here for over 300 years, established the pattern of the city streets and built the original city walls.

Iconic Sights in Chester - Roman Gardens, Old Dee Bridge, Eastgate Clock, Roman Amphitheater,
and Town Hall (clockwise from top left)

River Dee and Scenes from Chester's Main Streets

Chester is known for its City Walls, which were expanded and rebuilt over the years. Although many other towns were defended by walls, Chester is the only city where a complete circuit remains. Today, the walls offer elevated walkways that provide views of Chester’s iconic sights. The walls were guarded by gates and towers, and some of the medieval towers remain. Elegant Georgian style gates replaced others.

Chester City Walls

Chester City Gates

Chester’s history did not end with the Romans. Norman invaders began the construction of Chester Cathedral on the site of a Roman temple in 1092, and the cathedral was modified and expanded over the next thousand years. Chester Cathedral blends Norman, Gothic, and Victorian styles, and it is an outstanding example of ecclesiastical architecture.

Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral - Nave

Chester Cathedral - Quire

Chester Cathedral - Details

I was especially intrigued by The Rows, Chester’s, two-tiered, half-timbered shopping galleries that line the main streets of the city. The Rows consist of covered walkways on the upper floor, behind which are entrances to shops. Another set of shops is located at street level. Dating back 700 years, The Rows are unique to Chester and were most likely developed following the devastating fire of 1278, when Chester was a key medieval port.

The Rows - Two-Tier Shopping Galleries

The Rows - Details from the Upper Galleries

Chester is also known for its beautiful Georgian style buildings, many of which were constructed around Abbey Square in the eighteenth century.

Georgian Buildings Around Abbey Square

Once we returned to Liverpool, I wandered along the waterfront to see some of the city’s iconic buildings. The Three Graces, consisting of the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building, were once the headquarters of powerful shipping companies and reflect Liverpool’s maritime heritage. I even hung out with the Beatles.

The Three Graces (top and bottom left) and the Museum of Liverpool (bottom right)

Sarah and the Beatles