Not being very enthusiastic when it comes to doing Christmas shopping we decided to spend a couple of days in Chester hoping to buy most things there and explore this ancient Cathedral city. We knew there was lots to do in the city but because it was just a short mini-break we knew we wouldn’t have time to do it all. We checked out the shows and other attractions going on whilst we were there and for our second night booked seats for the evening performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Chester Cathedral. As well as seeing the show we wanted to visit The Christmas Tree Festival in the Cloisters which each year is filled with fifty beautifully decorated trees.
First of all …and a great find for our two-night stay was the reasonably-priced Mill Hotel & Spa. Just a short walk along the canal into the city centre. Parking per day in their safe compound opposite the hotel was cheaper than parking in the city and the chance to relax in their spa after a day’s shopping was just too tempting. The ample buffet-style breakfast was included in the price and the bar prices were a lot cheaper than we expected for a hotel. Honestly, if you’re looking for a place to stay in the centre of Chester you won’t do better than the Mill Hotel.
By the time we’d sorted out a few things it was mid afternoon so we walked along the canal path into the city centre to get the lay of the land. It was quite busy being so close to Christmas but we had a good walk round, went into a few shops and then as the light was fading we headed for the Cathedral. The entrance fee to see the Christmas trees was a modest £3 per person. The Festival runs until January 7th 2024.
We walked to the nave first and were struck by the lighting in there. The ornate Rood screen which is a common feature in late medieval church architecture looked stunning illuminated in red.
We then went into the Cloisters; again beautifully lit and full of Christmas trees which are decorated by local people, organisations and businesses.
The decorated Chrisrmas trees were beautiful but it was the statue in the garden which caught my eye as we walked around the Cloisters. It was the perfect time to appreciate this as with the daylight fading, the blue light on the sculpture really stood out. This website gives information on this beautiful work of art.
“The water feature depicts the encounter between Jesus and the Woman of Samaria, showing their shared bowl overflowing with water. The theme of water also suggests a link to how the Benedictine monks water supply was at the centre of the cloister garden”.
As we walked aound the Cathedral we came across several more decorated Christmas trees including this one pictured below. I’m not sure what Freddie would have made of being stuck on the top of a Christmas tree?!
Having walked around most of the Cathedral we headed back to our hotel weaving through the Christmas market and making a mental note to come back to look at the stalls the next day. That evening we enjoyed an excellent Thai meal at Siam Thai just a stones throw from our hotel.
In the morning having had a superb buffet-stye breakfast, eating as much as we wanted, we walked into town ready to hit the shops. It’s easier if we split up to do this kind of shopping so we arranged to meet up a couple of hours later. After a while of ploughing through a few large shops I needed to have a break and wasn’t surprised when I phoned John that he was feeling the same. We saw a sign for teas etc outide a church right in the city centre at The Cross and decided that was the perfect place to recharge our batteries. The cafe at St Peter’s was doing a roaring trade which wasn’t surprising as the prices were very reasonable. The building itself is facing all kinds of problems which was obvious seeing strong ties strung between the stone pillars and other indications that this church has got a serious structural problem. They need to raise a lot of money that’s for sure but it was great to see it being used and well supported in more ways than one.
Having sat for a while we hit the shops again but it wasn’t long before I needed the loo. No chance we decided walking along The Rows which are famous two-tiered timber-framed galleries which run along the main streets of the city. Some interesting local shops which was all very well but it was time to head to find the loos in the large shopping centre. Would you beleive we saw two sign for ‘toilets’ but never found them, then my man had a brain wave – there are always loos in publc buildings. We wanted to look round the Christmas market anyway and the stalls were right in front of the very imposing Gothic building which is the Town Hall so we headed straight there. The picture below was taken later that day but you can see how grand the building is. No wonder you can go on a guided tour.
We went on our own tour around the building and eventually found the toilets on the first floor. All very grand with blue ceramic Victorian pedestals – wish I’d taken a picture but it didn’t occur to me at the time. It is an amazing building inside which you can probably see from these pictures taken from the impressive oak staircase.
We then had a wander around the stalls of the Christmas Market and bought some expensive fudge. After more trawling round shops and fitting in lunch, we decided to head back to the hotel for some R&R. Actually we spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool area which was just perfect. Steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and best of all the pool and all for free. It was so relaxing and just what we needed.
Once sorted we had a drink in the hotel bar before walking to the Cathedral in time for that night’s performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ …and what a setting! The nave area was transformed into a theatre -a cold one at that! The play was a little late starting so I took a few pictures which give an idea of how the nave was changed into a theatre.
It was an excellent performance, particularly from the main character, if a little long. When it’s a cold environment people start to get fidgety and our thoughts strayed to the meal we’d booked at Ristorante Sergio. We hoped they would serve us as the clock was ticking and it was getting late. Fortunately we did get our meal and what an excellent one it was. They could have turned us away but didn’t and we both said it was one of the best Italian meals we’d had in this country.
Yet more food the next morning but it was hard to resist the English Breakfast served at The Mill and we did have quite a journey ahead of us back to Gloucestershire. It had been a good couple of days away and we’d managed to do quite a lot of Christmas shopping in between various other activities. We liked Chester very much and know that when we go back there’s lots of things still for us to do and of course we know exactly where we would stay.
Travels with the Booths.blog 