Visit Chester from Llandudno

THE RIVER AT CHESTER

WELCOME TO THE RIVER DEE

In May 2004, the writer made a day visit to Chester from Llandudno and chose to walk round the mediaeval stone walls of this ancient city. In May 2005, on a similar visit, he chose to take a short trip on a tourist boat on the River Dee. In Roman and medieval times Chester was an important port. Today, tourism and retail trading are of ever rising importance.

Photographs below from the visit on May 11th 2005.

The river bank behind the boat quay is lined with a fine double row of Lime trees and is called the Groves. These were planted over 120 years ago by Alderman Brown of the retail merchants Brown's of Chester. The Groves are a popular place to promenade and there is a pub and a cafe as well as several kiosks and a band stand. Rowing boats and small self-drive motor boats are available for hire by the hour and conducted pleasure trips with commentary are offered on a variety of craft including two-decker show boats and traditional motor launches.

Some of the passengers on "The Mark Twain" show boat.

Sit back and enjoy the views

Rowing Club Boathouse

The psudo Georgian Terrace above is in fact Victorian, bucking the trend in favour of "black & white" so popular in Chester at that time. The terrace carries the name Deva Terrace in celebration of the Roman origins of modern Chester. The Romans in their turn had named their fortress Deva in honour of the local Celtic God of the River Dee!

Above is Saint Paul's Church.

On the western bank there are few close buildings and more open views. The tall chimney is in fact a shot tower, the last in Britain still used for the production of lead shot - specifically today for clay pigeon shooting.

..... NEXT Chester Part 4

Visit - Llandudno Queen of the North Wales Resorts

"The River at Chester" compiled by Noel Walley. Last updated April 2008.

Photographs © 2005 by Noel Walley (click to email)