The Grosvenor Museum — Attraction in City of Chester

The galleries in Chester dedicated to local history and Cheshire’s natural history are an absolute must-visit for anyone interested in learning more about the area’s rich past and diverse environment. Housed within the Grosvenor Museum, they offer a fascinating journey through centuries of heritage, culture, and discovery.

The local history galleries bring Chester’s story vividly to life, from its Roman origins through medieval times and into the modern day. Thoughtfully arranged displays, artefacts, and reconstructions help you step back in time and imagine what life was like for the people who shaped the city. Each section is engaging and provides just the right amount of detail, making it accessible for all ages.

Equally impressive is the Cheshire natural history collection. With displays covering the region’s landscapes, geology, flora, and fauna, these galleries showcase the incredible variety of the local environment. From the River Dee to Delamere Forest, it’s a celebration of the natural world that surrounds the city, with specimens and interactive features that bring the subject to life.

Adding even more appeal are the regular temporary exhibitions. These are always well-curated and provide fresh perspectives, meaning each visit offers something new. Combined with the permanent collections, they make the museum a place worth returning to again and again.

Altogether, these galleries provide an inspiring and enjoyable experience, blending history, nature, and culture in the...

This place is fantastic. An old school, very analogue museum which - now that we live in such a digital world - feels so unique. It is really like stepping back in time so that the museum is, in itself, an exhibit to be immersed in. A true form of escapism and I hope they don't ruin it by 'modernising'.

There is a lot to see but the place is a nice size so that it isn't overwhelming; ideal for spending a couple of hours. Lots of impressive models and artefacts from Chester's Roman period, paintings, natural history, and a whole zone based on the Victorian era with rooms and mannequins (some strangely realistic so you wonder if they come alive after the place closes to the public!)

My favourite section was the Roman one and I liked the level of information provided - sufficiently detailed to feel informative to an adult and not dumbed down or interfered with by tedious forms of correct-think or 'the latest thing'. There is also a great section with old mobile phones, tvs, video recorders and so on which is astonishing because it shows how fast technology has been changing over the past 30 years - a lot of people who've lived through it will probably appreciate it as I did.

It is in a great central location and a nice old building. Free to enter and relaxed environment. I was more than...

Very, very disappointing.

No offence or discredit to the curators who, I'm sure, work hard with what they've got, but what they've got simply is not a lot.

This is a fantastic city, steeped in history, with a fabulous story to tell ... and the museum just doesn't do it. Once a bigger port than Liverpool. Was a garrison to thousands of Roman soldiers. Played its part in the Civil War. Created the unique and breathtaking Rows. Has a truly magnificent cathedral and a wonderful amphitheatre. Where is the journey? What are the discoveries? Who shaped its history? How and when? Why did they choose tourism over commerce?

There is so much to say about Chester ... that simply isn't here and that is so very sad. I left the museum feeling totally unfulfilled. I wanted Chester's story captured in a uniquely fulfilling museum experience and I got none of that.

For shame on Chester's council!!!

You have to do more, much more, to tell Chester's story to its visitors, not simply sit back and say: "Well, there it all is - just look around you." Put your hands in your pockets and create something truly memorable and magnificent, as befits a city rich in history, pomp and majesty. York puts you...