Chester Museums

UK Museums: Chester Museums

Museums in Chester, North West England

Chester is an historic, pretty city in the north west of England.

It has several interesting museums with a number dedicated to its Roman past.

See a listing of museums in and around Chester.

Deva Roman Experience

The Deva Roman Experience celebrates the city of Chester’s heritage as the Roman town of Dewa. Dewa was one of the largest Roman towns in Britain and home to the 20th legion.

Visitors to this fun museum can see exhibits of a Roman galley and walk through reconstructed streets of Roman Chester taking in a Roman barracks, a bath-house, granary, taverna and market stalls.

Pierpoint Lane, Off Bridge Street, Chester CH1 1NL

Roman Amphitheatre

The Roman Amphitheatre in Chester is the largest in Britain and was used for both civilian entertainment and training for the 20th legion that was based in Chester (Deva).

Only around two fifths of the amphitheatre can be seen today including the north entrance and a temple dedicated to Nemesis. A mural on the back wall shows how the structure may have looked.

The amphitheatre is completely uncovered and it is free to wander around.

Little St John Street, Chester CH1 1RE

Roman Gardens

The Roman Gardens are close to the River Dee and are a collection of Roman period remains collected and assembled here from around the city. Chester’s City Wall runs down one side of the gardens.

Visitors can enjoy various Roman pillars, capitals and columns, a reconstructed hypocaust (under floor heating system) from the legionary baths and a modern mosaic.

Pepper Street, Chester CH1 1DQ

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is one of the largest in Britain requiring a full day of exploration. The zoo is home to over 12,000 animals, so there's no shortage of things to see. Added to this list is the newest and largest attraction - the Islands at Chester Zoo - which recreates the tropical environments of six South East Asian islands.

Highlights include searching for the Sumatran tiger tracks, an encounter with the magnificent Bali starling in Nusa Penida, and a treetop meeting with an orangutan. Visitors can also take the Lazy River Boat Trip around all six Islands to discover more of the exhibit's fascinating wildlife.

Caughall Road, Chester CH2 1EU

Grosvenor Museum

Housed in an historic building, the Grosvenor Museum opened in 1886.

The museum has an eclectic collection including Roman artifacts including many tombstones, musical instruments including six Peter Bressan recorders, paintings, and a reconstruction of a Victorian parlour.

The museum also hosts frequent temporary exhibitions.

27 Grosvenor Street, Chester CH1 2DD