Chester Zoo has all the big-name draws like lions, elephants, and orangutans. You can also find some quirkier experiences here, such as an underwater giant otter viewing zone and a free-flight bat enclosure.

You’ll find more than farm animals at Cheshire Ice Cream Farm. Forty scrumptious ice cream flavours are made on site, plus there’s quad biking, crazy golf, playgrounds, and a café where mum and dad can relax and enjoy snacks and drinks.

All ages will enjoy the impressive Blue Planet Aquarium, which is less than 30 minutes north of Chester. The aquarium has an underwater tunnel, daily shows, African and Amazonian themed areas, and one of the largest shark collections in Europe. 

It’s even possible for kids to dive with white and black tip reef sharks. The junior shark diving experience is available at weekends and should be booked in advance. Younger children will also enjoy the outdoor Pirate Playground.

Britain is good at parks and Chester is no exception with its Grosvenor Park. The park is bang in the city centre and has a playground and miniature railway. Adults can admire the ornamental flower beds while little ones scamper around the expansive lawns.

At Chester Cathedral, children enjoy hunting for carvings of the Chester Imp and a little dog scratching his ear. Recommended is the Cathedral at Height tour – note that children must be able to walk up the tower and spiral staircase unaided.

Grosvenor Museum is an excellent museum in Chester that gears itself towards families and organizes a range of events during school vacations. Besides offering interesting historical exhibits, the museum also regularly holds workshops, museum walks, and special one-off exhibitions.

Built as a townhouse in 1664, Bear and Billet is a black-and-white timber-framed pub that has tiny lead windows and overhangs the street. Inside, there’s a real fire, plenty of space, and a huge menu of home-cooked food that will suit the whole family.

Plain and simple English pub food really hits the mark when you’ve got children in tow in Chester. Venues often provide special kids' menus of reliable favourites, like scampi and chips or bangers (sausages) and mash.