English Heritage: Chester Roman Amphitheatre

A fascinating insight into a certain aspect of Roman life in the old Roman city of Deva. Just one of many historical locations in this great city.

I feel at home in the amphitheatre as if in Empuries on The Costa Brava. This is a very spiritual place.

The Chester Roman Amphitheatre is the largest uncovered amphitheatre in the United Kingdom. And well worth a visit. Who wouldn’t be interested in standing in a Roman Amphitheatre (without risk of life!). The local museum is a great supplement and you will not be able to leave here without feeling more in touch with the history that shaped Chester, and indeed the Country at large. Worth mentioning is that there is no cost to see the place, and that almost adjoined to the amphitheatre lies the Grosvenor park, providing a great place to retreat from the amphitheatre for a picnic. An essential visit for people of all ages.

It’s great to have so much history in your back yard, from walking to work on the city walls to visiting the roman gardens or watching archeology in action at the Roman Amphitheatre right in the heart of Chester.
During the summer months there is a lot to see, with a regular daily dig, focusing on a different area each time. Unfortunately during the winter the site is far less impressive and pales in comparison to the majestic city walls.
If you do visit, then you should pop over the road to the visitor centre to learn more about Roman Chester. Also nearby are the Roman Gardens and Chester’s historic two level shopping streets.
One disappointing thing about the amphitheatre is that so much of the site is inaccessible because of an old building on half of the site which was built long before the amphitheatre was discovered, also there is a fairly busy road running alongside.
If you are doing Roman history at school or just want to see a piece of the past then the amphitheatre is worth a visit but be sure to check out the rest of ancient Chester at the same time.

Its free which is always a good start. Throughout the summer months its also an active archeological dig right in the heart of Chester city centre. You can walk across the footbridge through the heart of the excavation, watch as the earth is moved along huge conveyor belt and items are washed by hand. You can ask the archaelogists all sorts of questions, see items as they are discovered. Its an exciting way to see historical artefacts as they are discovered.

Everyone in Chester knows where this is and is always refered to in directions. The visitor centre is just over the road and well worth a visit. I went on a ghost walk around Chester at Halloween which was laid on by the visitor centre and I would highly recommend it for a group of friends it’s great fun. Afterwards you are in the centre of Chester so can make a night of it as we did going for a lovely meal. The visitor centre staff are very imformative and a great help if you are new to the city and looking for some guidance or just after some fresh ideas for someone who knows the city well.

A landmark in the centre of chester still being excavated at the moment — In the museum you can also see many items they have found during the numerous digs at the site over the year — A great step back in time