FOUR FACES OF CHESTER: EVENTS PLANNING

Written by: Sue - 30^th March 2018

Just as the Eastgate Clock in the centre of Chester has a face on each of its four sides, the city itself has more than one face. Which face does the visitor choose to focus on? Here we consider Chester's unique character and why it offers a special quality as a destination, distinct from North West neighbours Liverpool and Manchester.

Chester was once the largest Roman fortress in Britain. Roman legionnaires marched to war from here; Viking wreckers descended with havoc; Norman invaders conquered Anglo Saxons. The reality of their presence and influence can still be explored through the city's structure, museums and tours.

Largest Roman fortress is one boast, but Chester has been furnished with further acclaim in more recent times. In 2013 it was voted Europe's fifth prettiest city - upstaging both Prague and Venice - in an American poll by USA Today. Last year it was crowned most accessible city in Europe by the Access Awards - a prize awarded for making cities more accessible to people with disabilities and older people.

Accessible for visitors once within its walls, Chester is also easy to reach from all corners.

By Air - Manchester International and Liverpool John Lennon Airport are both around 40 minutes away by road.

By Road - main motorway links to Chester and Cheshire are via M6, M56 and M53.

By Rail - Chester is just two hours from London, with high-speed trains leaving every hour for Cheshire's main line stations.

So, delegates can reach Chester comfortably. If striving to plan for them a diverse and memorable conference or events programme, planners might be inspired by the four faces of Chester we are looking at here: history, special and unique, culture and venues. 

HISTORY

Eastgate Clock - You know you are in Chester when stood beneath the Eastgate Clock. This ornate and distinctive landmark was designed for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and is the second most photographed clock in Britian - no prizes for guessing which is our number one most photographed clock.

City Walls - York is possibly more famous for its Roman walls, but Chester holds the claim to the most complete walled circuit around any town in Britain. The walls here are apparently surprisingly wheelchair accessible too. Delegates can enjoy a walk around a two-mile circuit with worthwhile views.

Amphitheatre - Chester encloses the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain. The city was founded as a Roman fort in the year 79 and was one of three major Roman army bases. The amphitheatre had capacity for 7000 spectators.

1000 Year-Old Cathedral - Europe's finest example of Medieval carvings can be found here and - for the enthusiastic explorer - a spiral staircase with 216 steps extends amazing views over the city from the central tower.

Roman Tours - if you'd like a 'real-life' Roman to walk you round the city and pass on its secrets - you can have that very thing here too.

Chester Cathedral

SPECIAL AND UNIQUE

700-Year-Old Rows - Look up whilst having a shopping meander around the city to find something unique. Chester is the only place in the world where you'll encounter anything akin to The Rows - the two-tiered Medieval covered shopping walkways at the first floor of each of the four main streets in the half-timbered Tudor style. Housed here are the galleries, quirky independent shops and boutique restaurants so special to Chester. Time-honoured chocolatiers, wine specialists and jewellers rub shoulders in this city with a swanky, high-end designer retail experience.

Chester Zoo - Very close to the city centre, the zoo allows delegates to explore 125 acres of habitat with the opportunity for an up-close experience of 500 species. Expertly equipped to accommodate group visits, Chester Zoo is an events and conference venue in itself.

Down To The River - A stroll through Grosvenor Park leads to The Groves, a tree-lined promenade along the banks of the River Dee. Bandstand, boat excursions and an outdoor cafe culture evoke a really pleasant and upbeat atmosphere here.

Stately Homes - There is a good choice for visits in the North West, but two special suggestions are Arley Hall and Gardens - a living history experience in a place cherished as a family home for over 500 years - and Tatton Park - an estate with an old haunted Tudor mansion, deer park, working farm and its own engaging events programme. Inspiration aplenty for the planner!

CULTURE

The Roodee - is renowned as Britain's oldest racecourse in continual use and has been home to Chester Races for more than 450 years. Past mayor Henry Gee consented to the original race and is the reason we might say we're off to the 'gee-gees'.

Storyhouse - is Cheshire's most recent and dynamic theatrical venture. Housed in a beautifully restored 1930s Odeon building in the city centre, Storyhouse offers an 800-seat auditorium, 150-seat studio theatre and boutique cinema. Every summer Storyhouse bursts its seams to spill out into the streets and parks for Moonlight Flicks Open-Air Cinema in the Roman Gardens and for Open-Air Theatre in Grosvenor Park which is an eight-week annual summer rep season producing Shakespeare and more. From personal experience, I can share that this is an opportunity not to be missed for acting of a surprisingly high calibre and shows punctuated with surreal contemporary musical interludes. Think Shakespeare meets Talking Heads, for instance. With bar, bunting, candles and cosy cushions, the approach to the open-air amphitheatre has a festival vibe. I have seen two Shakespeare comedies here, including A Midsummer Night's Dream, complete with the most rib-aching hilarious, protracted and bizarre death scene I've ever witnessed.

Clonter Opera Theatre - offers the chance to escape even further from the city bustle into the open countryside around nearby Congleton. Amidst the bluebell woods, intimate opera and jazz performances for up to just 400 people take place with either formal dining or indoor picnic options and free parking.

Grosvenor Museum - also houses an art gallery and is well-known for adding flesh and bone to the Roman influence which stamps through Chester.

VENUES

Many of our accommodation and venue partners have locations around Chester, but both Hallmark Hotels and QHotels have a particularly strong presence.

Hallmark Hotels Wrexham Llyndir Hall

Just a few miles from Wrexham and seven miles from Chester, this venue has easy access to the excitement of the city and yet is far enough away to feel like a peaceful retreat. In fact, it's truly peaceful here as the historic villa is cocooned within five acres of landscaped grounds.

- Suitable for conferences, seminars, meetings and exhibitions but particularly training thanks to a self-contained business centre away from the main hotel.

 - A change of scenery on refreshment breaks is possible in the Llyndir Suite which accommodates 150 with the advantage of a conservatory and lush garden.

- Business meetings for 12 in the Chester suite and everything in between.

- Pool, spa and leisure facilities.

 

Hallmark Hotel The Queen Chester

The location of this venue is notably convenient, just steps away from Chester Railway. This is a fine looking brick and stucco Italianate hotel which is also just a few minutes' walk from the centre. Victorian elegance meets contemporary features here.

- Up to 400 people accommodated in the Colonnade Conference Centre.

- 11 flexible spaces for conferences, meetings, training and teambuilding days or celebratory events.

- Ample parking for delegates.

 

QHotels Crewe Hall

Chester's attractions are close by - and Manchester Airport is just 32 miles away - yet when you approach Crewe Hall along the tree-lined driveway you know you are entering another world where the experience will be enriching. In this venue planners may organise gatherings within The Old Hall where 15 traditional meeting rooms are placed amidst the historic charm and intricate design features. An unexpected space lies behind the majestic exterior: a state-of-the-art, self-contained conference centre with a further choice of eight contemporary suites - the largest accommodating up to 364 delegates.

Blend all of the above with a sumptuous spa, brand new a la carte brasserie menu and eight appealing acres of outdoor space perfect for teambuilding events and it's easy to appreciate why Crewe Hall is a true gem for the events professional. 

At the moment there is a buzz of excitement among the team here as they enhance their teambuilding experience through partnership with Explore Off-Road/ Cheshire Simulated Game. 

Making the most of 2500 acres of surrounding land, outdoor and teambuilding opportunities now include:

Air Gun Shooting - works for beginners

Introduction to clay pigeon

Field Target shooting - metal silhouette targets

Suzuki - Blindfold Driving for a maximum of two at one time

Offroad Driving Experience - possibility of arranging for a group of 21 in total

Both traditional and modern spaces at Crewe Hall

QHotels Mottram Hall

Less than an hour from Chester centre, The Conference Hub here has nine spacious meeting rooms, a dedicated refreshment lounge offering tea, coffee and branded soft drinks all set in a ground floor location readily accessible for all. Of course, it's also fully equipped with the latest AV including mounted LCD TV screens.

A point to note with this venue is how the conference spaces are flooded with oceans of natural daylight.

Our team has all the latest news to share on exclusive partnership offers with Mottram Hall, including the chance of a free Amazon Echo Dot for the booker when arranging an event over £3000. For event booking over £10,000, there is also the opportunity of a dinner, bed and breakfast stay with either a round of golf or express spa treatment courtesy of Mottram Hall.

As with Crewe Hall, tailormade teambuilding experiences are a strength to the portfolio here. Archery and golf are popular choices but maybe surprising team benefits will surface through an attempt at duck herding?

Duck herding teambuilding

With a unique fusion of history, culture and modern city style, against a backdrop of picturesque parks and acres, Chester really is the conference and events professional's dream. If more is yet required to energise and stimulate the team, planners can always march everybody like legionnaires out into the bracing air of the North Welsh countryside.