Visiting Chester

So - it's my wife's birthday on Thursday and for the first time since the birth of our son last year - we are actually managing to get away for a couple of days without the kids.

I offered to take her anywhere in Europe but she does not want to go far in case there any problems and has always fancied visiting Chester - about a 3 hour drive - so that is where we are heading.

So what has that got to do with photography I hear you ask- plenty is the answer. I have a very understanding wife and so long as she has my cash card and there are shops - I can play with the cameras as much as I like - gulp!

Which is all a very long winded way of asking you all - apart from the obvious zoo and cathedral - what should I not miss with camera in hand in Chester?

regards
Carl

You can take a walk on the old Roman wall which used to encompass the city - it's still there and you can walk all the way around (see the Roman amphitheatre) - it no longer encompasses the city of course There are many places you can climb up and down as you spot something.

The river may provide some opportunities too and a stroll with the centre provides lots of street ops (entertainers) and the black & whites facades and old Roman buildings.

Ancient shopping parade.
City walls

Watch out for a gi-normous aeroplane in the skies (it ferries wings to the local airfield and I think its nicknamed "the Baluga") flying at what appears to be zero mph.

Bernard

PS the airfield is "quite close" to the out of town shopping park

That'd be carrying Airbus components, it's the modern version of the old Guppy and Super Guppy transports. I think the proper spelling is Beluga, like the caviar?

The galleried shopping streets are very unusual - there are normal shops on the street, but at first floor level there are galleries with more shop fronts (set back from the street by the width of the gallery).

There are assorted ornate architectural bits, just watch you don't get trampled on while trying to shoot them. I think the absolute worst I've seen was the family who decided the perfect place for their group wedding shot was directly outside the hotel...and right in the middle of an absolutely packed shopping street forcing everyone else to squeeze past!

Hope you have reduced your cash limit, it can get quite expensive in Chester.

The Cathedral welcome photographers as long as your tripod has rubber feet, £5 donation.

If the weather is fine head down to the river from the town side then cross over on the footbridge and walk along the dee, you never know what you will see, Herons, Buzzards, rowers, etc.

Wander around the walls, check out the roman garden, have a few pints in Bar Lounge, then wander up to the cross and watch the street entertainers.
Enjoy,

Would offer to meet up but unfortunately have to go to Cardiff for the next few days.

Davex.

Thanks for the tips guys - and sorry to have missed you Dave

Have just duscivered it is ladies night at Chester races on Thursday so that may be a possibility too

Carl

Dont forget the bow and arrow, apparently if you come across any welshmen within the city walls after 12 midnight your allowed to kill them as long as you use the bow and arrow, just make sure its not a forum member first

Apart from that, Chester (as I recal) is a bustling place and ripe for street photography and architecture.

Chester is a good argument for retaining the aristocracy.

Unlike so many British towns and cities, it hasn't had the guts ripped out of it to make way for car-parks and supermarkets. As a result, people drive all the way from Yorkshire to see it.

The Duke of Westminster (I believe) owns most of Chester, and he is rich enough not to need the Sainsbury shilling. Long may that continue.

G

Well, there are a couple of forum members......

Darn, they're not Welsh.

G

Some nice walks down by the river and LCE is always worth a vist

LCE? Oh no - didn't realise there was one on Chester - I just hope I do not stumble across it - glazed expression - LBA kicking in - peobably end in divorce I can just see it -

"sorry darling I have had to cancel tonight's reservation at the best restaurant in town as I didn't realise there was a dress code and I do not have a tie and jacket so we are going to McD's instead and the one we have booked for tomorrow has apparantly been closed down - something to do with using German beansprouts in the dishes"

She will never fall for it!

Carl

Be aware that the Races (as in any town) attracts a surfeit of very talented professional pickpockets - going back a few years my wife had a valuable watch taken off her wrist without her knowing (and it had a slip on bracelet !) - guy bumped into her and the watch had a new home. So watch your gear, and your pockets, very closely as you will be an obvious target being otherwise occupied with shooting.

Always dangerous to say never, but unlikely in Chester. The biggest problem you will have is getting somewhere to eat, it can get very busy in town on race nights. The track is well within walking distance of the center, unless you have high heels on.

Not unlikely Dave as you can see from my post above. Used to go the races a lot when I lived there. Actually Chester is renown for attracting these disreputable types on race days (but then do all races regardless of the town) - many come across from Ireland as well as around the UK.

I live and work just outside of Chester (work frequently on the Airbus site) and often visit the races...never heard of anyone having problems such as this - must have been an unlucky incident I think.

As for photography perhaps suprisingly I hardly ever go to Chester with the camera, I'm more drawn to the surrounding scenery. Having said that the city centre has some great architecture, a walk around the walls and beside the canal is definitely worthwhile as is a walk in the roman gardens and park. The riverside would be my personal favourite due to the lack of crowds (unless it's a red hot day).

The most important tip I can give though is call into the Brewery Tap real ale pub on lower bridge street :!weblink below)

http://www.the-tap.co.uk/

Simon