Chester Shops

Chester's shopping is not quite on Manchester or Liverpool's scale but the city is smaller and so is easy to navigate. With antique shops in abundance and an almost unique street setting, it offers a very different shopping experience. Just be careful not to overlook some of the shops on Chester's rows - you almost have to walk along some streets twice. Combine this with a modern shopping centre, a reasonably sized department store and a scattering of independent clothes stores and you will not be disappointed.

Grosvenor Shopping Centre and Chester Shops

If bargain hunting is your thing then you may want to visit Cheshire Oaks, which is about 15 minutes drive from Chester. This is Europe's largest designer outlet village with 145 stores. It is where high street stores usually sell last years stock at a fraction of the price. Just beware of the crowds!

Just next to the shops at Cheshire Oaks is the Blue Planet Aquarium (0151 357 8800) which houses a huge shark tank amongst other things and is well worth the entrance fee. Cheshire Oaks also has a 14-screen Vue cinema and several restaurants (Mexican, Chinese and Italian etc.). If you find yourself hungry here, definitely try Elements (0151 357 2888), which is a huge Chinese banquet restaurant (all you can eat) and it has masses of choice. For something different, Nandos (0151 3557198) is not far away - a Portuguese eatery serving chicken cooked in your choice of chilli sauces. Those unsure about Chinese and Portuguese food can dive into TGI Fridays (0151 3554466) which carries on a US tradition of good food in large portions.