Chester Cathedral — Attraction in City of Chester

Around AD 79, the Roman army established Deva Victrix as a major northern military base — but it wasn't merely a matter of military strategy. Some historians believe that the area had once been a sacred ground for local tribes who practiced arcane rituals, possibly including sacrificial offerings to ancient deities. The Romans, in their conquest, were thought to have aimed not only to control the territory but to "purify" the mystical energies of the land through their own architecture and civilization. Today, Chester still holds remnants of ancient shrines whose exact purposes and divine associations remain unidentified — even after excavation.

Beyond its mystical roots, Chester is also famous for its nearly intact city walls, stretching almost 3 kilometers in length. Some say that if you walk the walls at dusk, you might hear the sound of “iron hooves” galloping past—though nothing is there… (Ghosts, perhaps?). Back in the 13th century, these walls were used secretly by kings and clergymen to move discreetly in and out of the city. Hidden messages were said to be placed under certain stones along the wall — coded signals for allies. A few of these inscriptions remain to this day, but no one has been able to decipher them. Some believe they were Templar codes, written in forgotten ciphers.

According to local legend, during the witch-hunt era, three women were accused of witchcraft and thrown into the River Dee — the main river that winds through the city:

If they floated, they were witches.

If they sank, they were innocent...

But the three floated — and then vanished into the mist. No bodies were ever found.

From that moment on, the River Dee became a place of eerie phenomena: ships disappearing, objects drifting against the current, and at night, the faint sound of women’s laughter echoing with the flow.

In truth, Chester's past might be even more haunting than York’s, despite York (founded AD 71) being older and often hailed as the most haunted city in Europe. But from what little I've read so far — Chester's history may be even more cryptic and otherworldly than York’s in certain dimensions. #chester #chesterbennington #chesterkoltuk...

I love to visit this cathedral when I'm in Chester. Not only because of its impressive architecture and its many layers of history, but also because it always feels so warm and welcoming. The staff and volunteers are both friendly and knowledgeable. There's an entrance fee of £4.50 (£5 if you're gift aiding) during the summer and in the Christmas season. It's free to enter on Sunday and at other times of the year, but it's well worth making a donation to support this beautiful church. Dating from the 11th century, when it was a Benedictine abbey, the cathedral has undergone a lot of restoration over the centuries, and there is much of interest to see from different periods of history: a Norman arch, a medieval courtroom, Victorian mosaics, and curiosities like the little picture painted on caterpillar silk. There's a wealth of beautiful stained glass and mosaics. I especially love the intricate medieval wood carving in the quire. You can take a guided tour for an extra £3 if you want to learn more about the history. My latest visit was in December, when the Christmas Tree Festival was on. The cathedral and cloister garden were filled with dramatic lighting effects, and the ancient cloisters were lined with decorated Christmas trees. Lots of beautiful gifts, books, and Christmas decorations in the shop. Clean and modern toilets, and an accessible toilet in the entrance. It's also worth visiting the refectory café to enjoy a light meal, or just a coffee and cake, where medieval monks ate their meals in silence centuries ago. This cathedral is a must-see if you're visiting Chester. Will keep...

A real gem to be treasured! This is a must stop destination in the city of Chester, and for those interested in history, church architecture and stained glass, has to be on your itinerary. Entry is free, but there is the option to tap your card to make an easy donation, and there’s also the opportunity for gift aid. We also opted for the guided tour (£3) and I highly recommend it. Our guide was Matt, and his knowledge of architecture, history, and the cathedral, along with his enthusiasm, made for an unforgettable experience. We were lucky to be the only people who had booked the tour so we felt quite privileged to have him all to ourselves! From its beginnings as a Benedictine abbey, the cathedral has a rich history and has many interesting and noteworthy features, from the Victorian mosaics to the elaborate rood screen, and quire stalls. We also enjoyed a light meal in the cafe which is housed in the former monastery refectory, complete with pulpit from which a monk would preach while the rest of the brothers would eat. We enjoyed the cream of tomato soup and the Welsh rarebit, both of which were very tasty. It is spacious and you might even bag a sunny spot if you’re lucky! There is a substantial gift shop with a wide variety of options to purchase - exquisite Christmas decorations (we visited at the end of October), religious items, books, food and drink items etc. If you love visiting churches, admiring beautiful architecture or just want to do something different, I cannot recommend this enough. I don’t give “top marks” easily, but it is...