http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30255 Chester Zoo is just five minutes drive from the city centre and makes for a great day out. It is one of the best zoo's I’ve visited in Europe with many large enclosures and a sky train that allows you to view many of the animals from a unique perspective. Tip: Arrive early - the zoo is pretty big and can easily fill the whole day to see everything.
Staying on the animal theme, the Blue Planet Aquarium is about 10 minutes drive from the city centre. This is one of the largest aquariums in the UK and has two amazing underwater tunnel experiences. This is a great idea for any ‘wet’ days as it is all inside!
The Aquarium is located along side the Cheshire Oaks retail park, with lots of restaurants and a huge cinema to keep you entertained well into the night. Tip: this is also a great place to get some credit-crunch retail therapy underway, with many designer brands and hugely discounted prices – stock up your summer wardrobe.
For a more historical day out, you can explore the roman side of Chester. You can take a walk around the original city walls, taking in many of the sights of the city and views across north Wales. Stop off at some of the small shops and restaurants on the two-mile round trip. There is also the cathedral, Roman amphitheatre and many historical buildings in the city centre, including the original two-level medieval high streets. If you looking for a more relaxing day, try a ‘Roman High-Tea’ cruise along the canals (pick up the boat from next to the Mill Hotel). Tip: you can get a great (free) map from the city tourist office in the centre of town which highlights many of the historical buildings in the city and walking routes to take.
For a more relaxed day you should head down the small hill to the banks of the river Dee (also on the wall walk), where you can sit in riverside pubs and cafes enjoying the views, or take a relaxing river cruise on one of the river boats.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30255 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26832 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26832 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26752 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26752 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19949
The service is friendly, attentive and authentic and the waiting staff always make you feel like you're the only one there!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19948
Many diners will no doubt make a special trip for the Kobe beef; however in my opinion the lobster and chips takes some beating!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19948 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18803 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18803 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18802 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18802 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13247
There are National Trust gardens, castles and plenty of cafes and country pubs.

www.explorecheshire.com has day cycle routes and lists events en route, such as fetes, open gardens and events of interest which can give an aim for the day out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13247 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12985
I recommend watching C'est Tous perform The Taming of The Shrew (this year on 21st and 28th July at 7pm). They are fabulous actors who really know their stuff as they've been doing it as a company for 22 glorious years. They always do a pre-show talk which really involves the audience.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11761
You can pretty much circle the entire city centre by walking the wall and getting a different vantage point and contrasting views and points of interest on either side of the wall as you go round.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11736 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11736 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8994 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8994 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8993 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8993