Chester and Cheshire

5 days / 4 nights’ duration with departures throughout the year
Executive Coach Travel departing from selected local pick-up points
4 nights half board at a 3* or 4* hotel in Cheshire
Excursion package with entrances + guides as in our itinerary
Group Organiser’s Personal Liability Insurance Cover is automatically included

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1 – Travelling north, a comfort break will be made en route to the National Memorial Arboretum where lunch can be purchased. This attraction comprises of 150 acres of trees and memorials devoted to the concept of Remembrance. This is the home of the Armed Forces Memorial, a striking and emotive structure that gives recognition and thanks for those who have died whilst on duty or as a result of terrorist action since WWII and acknowledges the enduring sacrifice of those who mourn their loss. A 60- minute Land Train Tour is included which incorporates the outer lying points of the Arboretum and is the perfect way to explore the grounds with commentary. Continuing on to the hotel dinner is included.

Day 2 – Breakfast included.

Today includes a cruise + lift experience at the Anderton boat lift one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways‘ which has the nickname of the ‘Cathedral of the Canals’. Boarding the Edwin Clark boat, sit back and enjoy the unique experience of being transported 50 feet between two waterways on the world's oldest working boatlift. Listen to the informative and lively commentary and learn how the Cathedral of the Canals is a master of Victorian Engineering, whilst also experiencing the scenic Weaver Navigation waterway.

Also included today is a visit to Arley Hall & Gardens, with a 75-minute guided tour of the Hall. With elaborate ceilings, oak panelling, impressive fireplaces, intricate stained glass and beautiful contents this tour gives an intimate insight into life in the Hall and the history of a family that has cherished Arley as their home for over 550 years. The Gardens, amongst the finest in Britain and Europe, have been created over the last 250 years by successive generations of the same family. Returning to the hotel an evening meal is included.

Day 3 – Breakfast included.

Today is dedicated to the historic City of Chester with its numerous landmarks, attractions & historical references. Founded by the Romans in AD79, Chester still bears signs of its past with its Roman Amphitheatre, historic City Walls and Chester Castle all intact. In common with many other places in Britain with the words chester, cester or caster in their name, the city we now call Chester was once home to a Roman castrum or military fort. Included is a guided walking tour on arrival by a ‘Roman soldier’ after which the day is free to explore at your own pace. You might choose to visit Chester’s unique shopping experience at The Rows, an area which dates back to medieval times when the original Rows were built on top of Roman ruins. Retaining much of their original character, these half-timbered under croft buildings house unusual boutique and individual stores. The Cathedral is also a highlight of a visit here (local cost). This was gradually rebuilt from 1250 onwards in Gothic style and took 275 years, resulting in today’s truly incredible structure. Hotel dinner is included tonight.

Day 4 – Breakfast included..

Today begins with an included visit to Port Sunlight, the village founded by ‘Soap King’ William Hesketh Lever in 1888 to house Lever’s ‘Sunlight Soap’ factory workers. Today it is home to a fascinating museum, beautiful architecture, a world-class art gallery, stunning parkland and a thriving community. With a local guide, you will experience what life was like to live here over 100 years ago and see the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage, in addition to immersing yourself in the story of soap at the interactive SoapWorks.There will also be time to visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery, founded and built by Edwardian philanthropist Lord Leverhulme. This is home to one of the most beautiful collections of fine and decorative art in the UK, including many world-famous Pre-Raphaelite artworks, alongside beautiful Chinese ceramics and Wedgwood jasperware.

Next, we continue on to the National Waterways Museum where a 45-minute guided tour is included.
The museum occupies part of a 200-year-old historic dock, originally designed by Thomas Telford which was a major trans-shipment point for cargoes travelling between the port of Liverpool and the inland waterway network.
This is one of the largest and most complete dock complexes in the UK, and tells the story of the growth of the Industrial Revolution in Britain by way of boats, buildings, objects and their archive. The museum is housed in a conservation area with 19 Grade II listed buildings where you can walk outdoors around the locks, docks and warehouses spotting the signs that reveal it was a busy working area. Slightly separate from the rest of the docks, 12 cottages were originally built for the dock workers in 1833 and were home to shipwrights, blacksmiths, railway workers, porters and their families. Evening meal included at the hotel.

Day 5 – Checking out of the hotel after breakfast our last included visit of this holiday is to Bridgemere Show Gardens (RHS) at Bridgemere Garden Centre. Set in 6 acres Bridgemere is home to 13 stunning individual gardens, seven of which are Gold and Silver Medal award-winning gardens from the RHS Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Flower Shows. Highlights include a Cottage Garden, a Victorian Topiary Garden, a Woodland Walk, a Pond and Waterfall Garden, and a Fryers Rose Garden and much more. There will also be a little free time to visit Britain’s largest garden centre where lunch can be purchased. Departing early afternoon and retracing our steps, you will be returned to your original departure point(s) early evening.

Simply Groups reserve the right to make minor adjustments to this itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.