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 thoroughly deserved!