10 Unusual and Creepy Places in Chester

Minerva’s Shrine is a small but unique Grade I Listed building, carved into the face of a sandstone outcrop. It was constructed as a shrine to the Roman goddess Minerva in the 2^nd century. Today, it’s the only shrine of its kind in Western Europe to remain in its original location, having survived the rise of Christianity and extensive quarrying.

The shrine is located in a quiet public park named Edgar’s Field, which lines the bank of the River Dee. Cycling to the park is popular with the locals, but you can reach Minerva’s Shrine by taking the bus to the Edgar’s Field bus stop.

Chester Cathedral is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. If you fancy an unusual experience, head inside to look at what has been dubbed by historians as the ‘Chester Imp’, a demonic figure bound in chains, carved on the left side of the nave. The age, purpose and origins of the Chester Imp remain unknown, but legend has it that it was carved into the building by the clergy during the Middle Ages to scare away Satan.

While visiting Chester Cathedral, climb the central tower’s 216 steps to see panoramic views of the city, and North Wales on a clear day. There are 1-hour tours available, and you can buy a Family Saver Ticket to reduce your tour price by up to £10.

The Three Old Arches is believed to be the earliest surviving shop front in England. It was constructed during the 13^th century and is located in the Chester Rows, one of the city’s most visited attractions. However, while many Tudor buildings on The Rows were renovated during the 19^th century, the facade of the Three Old Arches remains largely unaltered.

The bottom floor of the Three Old Arches is still used as a shop. Inside, the building has retained its original medieval stone hall, four medieval doorways and a 16^th-century open fireplace. Don’t forget to snap a photo of the ‘1247 AD’ inscription between the arches of the building’s exterior.

Explore the city while learning about its eerie past by embarking on a Chester ghost tour. Your guide will tell you the spookiest stories of Chester’s 2,000-year history, from the Roman invasion of Britain to the Industrial Revolution. As you go in search of the paranormal, you’ll pass attractions such as The Rows, Chester Cathedral and the Eastgate Clock, but you’ll also venture off the beaten path to hear stories about some of the city’s lesser-known landmarks.

Chester Ghost Tours run throughout the year, though times and days vary depending on the month. You’ll find details of tour dates on the Chester Ghost Tour website. Don’t forget to wear appropriate clothing as most tours operate at night for that added spooky factor.

Crypt Chambers, otherwise known as the Crypt Building, was built on the site of a medieval house in 1858, though the original medieval undercroft is still intact. Constructed in the Gothic revival style, this Grade I listed building features an asymmetrical design, with a distinctive red and yellow sandstone facade.

Today, Crypt Chambers contains a department store, which has retained its traditional name of Browns of Chester. Discover ‘one of the best medieval crypts of Chester’ by grabbing a bite to eat in the restaurant that now occupies the undercroft.

The Roman Tour of Chester takes you on a journey back in time to nearly 2,000 years ago, when Chester was Britain’s largest Roman fortress. As you explore Roman landmarks such as the Walls, the Amphitheater and the Roman Gardens, you’ll be told stories of Chester’s long-spanning history by a guide dressed as a centurion, making it an exciting adventure for the kids.

The tour is based on facts researched by military experts and the most recently unearthed archeological evidence. Tours run every weekday and last around 90 minutes. Tickets usually cost less than £10 – perfect for the budget traveler looking for an immersive experience that’s both factual and fun.

The Boathouse is one of Chester’s more unusual dining experiences. This family pub occupies the deck of an old boat situated on the River Dee, just a 5-minute walk from the city centre. The locals highly rate this floating beer garden for its peaceful atmosphere and waterfront views. On the menu, you’ll see plenty of award-winning cask ales as well as traditional pub grub.

Head to The Boathouse on Sunday to feast on a quintessentially British Sunday roast. In addition to being a pub, it also doubles up as a hotel, making it an ideal place to sleep off the fine wines and spirits before heading back to dry land.

Chester saw a lot of action during the British Civil War, and Rowton Moor was the site of one of the bloodiest and most decisive battles. From the Phoenix Tower on the Chester City Walls, you can stand in the same spot as King Charles I did while watching his Royalist army be defeated in September of 1645, which ultimately led to his execution.

Keep your eyes peeled for battle reenactments, which usually take place on the 24^th of September to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Rowton Heath. When visiting Rowton, look out for the Rowton Moor Memorial and the Civil War Field Hospital, which once tended to 17^th-century soldiers despite having a floor area of just 6 square feet.

St John the Baptist’s Church was first founded in the 7^th century and was the cathedral of Chester during the Early Middle Ages. This sandstone structure is believed to be the oldest church in Cheshire, though a new church was constructed within the ruins of the larger medieval building in the 19^th century. The church is still in active use today.

Explore the remains of the west wing to see the rare and spooky medieval wooden coffin base set above a Gothic arch. Look closely enough, and you’ll see an inscription that reads ‘Dust to Dust’. The origins of the solid oak coffin are unknown, but some believe it dates back to the 11^th century.

Learn about the Cold War and the government’s response plans for a nuclear strike by visiting the Hack Green Nuclear Bunker, whose location was kept a secret for over 60 years until 1998. Inside this 35,000-sq-ft underground complex, you can discover one of the world’s largest collections of decommissioned nuclear weapons and plenty of Cold War memorabilia.

Eerie exhibitions for adults include the undeniably disturbing medical room that contains a mannequin depicted with symptoms of radiation poisoning. If you need to keep things a little lighter for the kids, you can walk through the bunker while playing the Cold War Spy Mice game, avoiding the more graphic displays in the process.