The Rows Chester

The Rows are a unique feature of Chester’s historical civic architecture and one of the town’s main tourist attractions.

Originally medieval in origin, the Rows in Chester are galleried, timber walkways above a lower level of shops at ground level.

The Rows lead to the entrances of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and run along Chester’s four main shopping streets: Bridge Street, Watergate Street, Northgate Street and Eastgate Street, intersecting at The Cross.

Looking down from The Rows

The Rows connect with the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, a more contemporary shopping experience.

The Rows were built from the late 13th century onwards and now contain both Tudor and later Victorian buildings.

Why the Rows were constructed as they are is not clear from the historical evidence available. Experts suggest the hard bedrock near the surface prevented shopkeepers from constructing cellars. So they built upwards instead. Another theory, however, is that the amount of Roman debris had raised the level of Chester’s ancient streets.

The Three Old Arches section of The Rows stands out as it is constructed in stone and not wood. It is thought to be one of the oldest shop fronts in Britain.

Many of the streets adjacent to The Rows are pedestrianized during the day

Nearby Chester Attractions

The Rows in Chester can be visited along with nearby Dewa Roman Experience, Chester’s Roman Amphitheater, St John’s Church, the Meadows, Grosvenor Park, Eastgate Clock, Chester Cathedral, the River Dee, and the Cross.

Accommodation in Chester

Chester’s hotels include both upmarket and budget options. For a slice of history try The Chester Grosvenor, a luxury 5-star hotel in a renovated Victorian building on Eastgate, or the Chester Townhouse B&B located in a 17th-century townhouse on King Street.

Other good quality and affordable accommodation in Chester includes the Holiday Inn Chester South, the Crowne Plaza Chester, and the Coach House Inn.

Foregate Street

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