Directions
Chester is within 45 minutes from Liverpool, Widnes, Warrington, St. Helens, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Northwich, Crewe, Wrexham and North Wales and within 1 hour 15 mins from Southport, Formby, Wigan, Manchester, Macclesfield and Stoke-on-trent.
It's well worth making a day of it. Chester has some really good shops and restaurants, there are some good music venues and the tourist areas such as the river, Roman walls, "The Rows" and Cathedral are really nice. There's some lovely green spaces for picnics and always something to keep everyone happy.
Arriving by Car
Car Parks
There is a long stay car park at Northgate arena, about 10 mins walk away from our studio. There is a short stay car park at Gorse Stacks, which is less than 5 minutes walk, but it is quite expensive. Car parking can also be found at :
- Forum Shopping Centre
- Grosvenor Shopping Centre
- Trinity Street
(all less than 10 mins walk).
Park and Ride
There are 4 park and ride sites around Chester. These are the cheapest and most environmentally freindly way to get into the city centre, providing over 3000 car parking spaces. All the car parking is free, and the bus ticket is £1.50 return. The park and ride is open from 0700 to 1900. Park and ride can be found at:
- Upton
- Wrexham Road
- Boughton Heath
- Sealand Road.
Arriving by Train
The railway station at Chester is a little way out of the City Centre (about 10 mins walk), but there is a free bus from the station to the City centre. You don't even need your train ticket, so don't worry if you've rushed through the automatic barriers and pushed it in without thinking.
Arriving by Bus
The local bus station is off Northghate Street, by the Forum shopping centre, less than 5 mins walk away, although not for long. The Northgate Development begins shortly and will last until 2011. The buses will be stopping outside the wall whilst the new bus station is built.
Once you are in Chester
- The Cathedral
- The Town Hall
- The Forum Shopping Centre
- The Odeon Cinema
are all on Northgate Street. They are signposted from all over Chester. If you get onto Northgate Street you will see the City Wall at the far end. Walk towards the wall and you will see a huge sign at 1st floor level on the right for ‘Rufus Court’. If you reach the wall you’ve gone too far. Follow the sign. When you enter Rufus Court, turn left at Hattie's teashop and we’re right in front of you.
Rufus Court
Courtyard entrance
Courtyard
Rufus Court is a fairly new development that has been awarded prizes for it's design. It is in a conservation area with many quirky and specialist shops, on the millenium trail. It can be accessed from the City Wall as well as from Northgate Street, and disabled and pram access is from another small alley next to 'Joseph Benjamin delicatessen and restaurant'.
Many people know of Alexanders Jazz Bar. The jazz bar has many outdoor gigs and even a comedy club that uses the courtyard on some evenings. There is also the juice bar for juice and smoothies and Hatties Tea Shop for tea, crumpets and cakes (They make their own soup fresh every day, too. The Meditteranean Restaurant serves tapas as well as some lovely meals, but is closed for refurbishment just now, and Bollicini Italian Restaurant is the best italian restaurant in the area.
There are a couple of shops selling old and rare books, an art gallery, hairdessers, barber, jewellery maker and a triathlon shop (too energetic for me, though). The 'Mews Gallery' has some really nice art. I just wish we could afford some of it !
There is a really relaxed and chilled atmosphere, with good music and nice people. It's a great place in which to relax and have a drink (once you've had your piercing).
