Chester With Kids: Everything We Did in 48 Hours (And What I’d Skip Next Time)

If you’re looking for things to do in Chester with kids, the good news is that this historic city packs a surprising amount into a very walkable space.

I recently spent two days and one night in Chester with my seven-year-old daughter during one of the hottest half terms of the year. Armed with sun cream, a questionable amount of snacks, and absolutely no real plan beyond “let’s see what happens”, we managed to fit in Roman history, boat trips, ice cream, a swimming pool and one attraction that my daughter would quite happily never speak of again.

The best thing about Chester is that you don’t need a jam-packed itinerary. The city is compact enough to explore on foot, there’s plenty to keep children entertained, and many of the highlights are either free or relatively inexpensive.

Here’s everything we did, what we’d recommend, and the one attraction I’d think twice about with younger children.

Where We Stayed: The Mill Hotel & Spa

We stayed at The Mill Hotel & Spa, which sits just a five-minute walk from Chester city centre.

The location was excellent. We could easily walk into the city, explore for a few hours, then head back for a swim before going out again. In fact, my daughter loved the pool so much we used it three times in less than two days.

The hotel definitely has a few areas that could be improved, but overall it worked well for a family city break. You can read the full review here, so I’ll keep this section brief, but if you’re travelling with children and want somewhere central with a swimming pool, it’s worth considering.

The Sick to Death Museum: Learn From My Mistake

Top of my Chester wishlist was the Sick to Death Museum.

I’d seen countless TikToks about it, was bizarrely excited to meet a plague doctor, and had convinced myself my daughter was more than brave enough to handle it.

The internet repeatedly told me that parental discretion was advised for younger children. The internet was right.

Within minutes of entering, you’re transported into a plague-ridden medieval street complete with atmospheric sounds and dim lighting. Personally, I loved it.

My daughter did not.

By the time we reached the first room, which contains a fairly realistic autopsy set-up, she was completely terrified.

To be fair to her, if someone took me into a dark building and immediately showed me a dead body, I’d probably have some questions too.

So, we decided to leave.

What happened next genuinely impressed me though. The staff were incredibly kind and understanding. They suggested we try their sister attraction, the Deva Roman Experience, and gave us a receipt explaining that we’d paid but hadn’t enjoyed the museum.

That receipt turned out to be our golden ticket.

Deva Roman Experience: The Unexpected Highlight

Just around the corner from Sick to Death is the Deva Roman Experience.

The staff there welcomed us in without hesitation and honoured the transfer completely free of charge.

My daughter absolutely loved it.

There’s a small waiting area with activities including a mini archaeological dig, dress-up opportunities and a fun ball-bearing cannon to keep children occupied before the experience begins.

The tour starts with a guide taking you on a simulated Roman boat journey. We were in a small group made up mostly of adults, but the guide still made a huge effort to include my daughter, letting her push buttons and get involved throughout.

After that, visitors explore various Roman settings including bath houses, marketplaces and a gladiator arena through a combination of guided storytelling, videos and interactive exhibits.

The whole experience lasts around 45 minutes, which felt like the perfect length for younger children.

Long enough to be educational.

Short enough to avoid hearing “are we nearly done?” every three minutes.

If you’re visiting Chester with kids, I’d happily recommend this one.

Chester Roman Amphitheatre

After our Roman-themed morning, we headed over to Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre.

Thanks to the glorious weather, there happened to be a free children’s fitness session taking place while we were there.

My daughter immediately joined in, which gave me the rare opportunity to actually read some of the information boards in peace.

If you’re visiting during school holidays or weekends, it’s worth checking the English Heritage website before you go. They regularly run free family-friendly activities and events throughout the year.

Walking Chester’s Roman Walls

One activity I expected to be met with endless complaints was walking Chester’s famous Roman walls.

Somehow, it ended up being one of my daughter’s favourite parts of the trip.

The walls provide fantastic views across the city and down towards the river, and there was enough to spot along the way to keep her interested.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t particularly pram-friendly in places due to steps and uneven sections, but for older children who can walk independently it’s well worth doing.

And best of all?

It’s completely free.

A Boat Trip on the River Dee

The Roman walls eventually brought us down towards the River Dee, which was absolutely buzzing thanks to the heatwave.

We decided to jump on one of the sightseeing boat tours.

My daughter loved being on the water.

I loved being able to have a good nose at all the enormous riverside houses.

Everyone won.

The trips are relatively short, making them ideal for younger children who might struggle with longer excursions.

Ice Cream and Duck Feeding: The Real Winner

After the boat trip, we grabbed ice cream from one of the many kiosks near the river.

Was it £4.80 for one scoop? Yes.

Was it still worth every penny? Also yes.

Armed with ice cream and a bag of duck food, we sat by the river feeding ducks and watching the boats go by.

If I’m being completely honest, this was probably my daughter’s favourite part of the entire trip.

Which feels very on-brand for children.

You spend money on museums and attractions… they’ll remember the ducks.

Grosvenor Park With Kids

Before heading back to the hotel, we spent some time wandering through Grosvenor Park.

It’s a beautiful green space packed with flowers, mature trees and plenty of open space for children to run around.

If I were doing the trip again, I’d definitely bring a picnic and spend longer here.

After a busy day exploring, it felt like the perfect place to slow down for a while.

What About Chester Zoo?

It would feel wrong not to mention Chester Zoo.

We didn’t visit this time because we live in Liverpool and have already been several times over the years, including school trips.

However, if you’re travelling from further afield, it absolutely deserves a place on your Chester itinerary.

Just be prepared for the admission prices and consider bringing a picnic if you’re visiting as a family.

Trust me on that one.

Is Chester Worth Visiting With Kids?

Absolutely.

Chester feels safe, compact and easy to navigate with children, and there’s a good mix of history, outdoor space and activities to keep everyone entertained.

Could you do it all in a day?

Probably.

Would I recommend staying overnight if you can?

Yes, especially if you have children who need regular snack stops, toilet breaks and occasional bribery via swimming pools.

For us, Chester was the perfect short family break. We managed to fit a surprising amount into two days without ever feeling rushed, and despite one slightly traumatic encounter with medieval medicine, we’d definitely say it was worth the trip.

(Just maybe save Sick to Death until they’re a little older than seven.)